Wonderful World (2009)

In the greyscale world of Ben Singer, life is as murky as a glass of polluted water. A failed children's folk singer, Ben stumbles through his days as a proof-reader at a nondescript law firm, his cynicism spreading like a cold fog, chilling the enthusiasm of his co-workers, estranging his ex-wife and Hollywood executive husband, and bewildering his pre-teen daughter who craves positivity. His solitary ray of sunshine is his bond with his Senegalese flatmate, Ibu, a security guard with a heart as warm as his native Dakar, and the camaraderie he shares with the old-timers at a music store where he strums away his blues on an acoustic guitar. But when Ibu is cruelly snatched away by a diabetic coma, worsened by an apathetic municipal worker, Ben's already dismal worldview further darkens. In the ensuing gloom, he invites Ibu's sister, Khadi, to stay with him. Khadi, fresh from Dakar and armed with an infectiously sunny disposition, becomes an unexpected roommate and an unwelcome mirror, reflecting Ben's deep-seated cynicism. As the two navigate their awkward living arrangement, Khadi's relentless optimism chips away at Ben's hardened shell. Her belief that emotions can wield magic challenges Ben's long-held cynicism. Yet, the door to Ben's heart remains stubbornly shut, threatening to cost him his daughter's love. Will he ever learn to see the world through a lens of possibilities rather than despair? Or will he remain trapped in his self-made prison of pessimism, forever viewing life as a glass half-full of tainted water? In "Wonderful World," the power of perspective takes center stage, urging viewers to question whether cynicism is a life sentence or merely a matter of viewpoint.

Wonderful World is a comedy movie featuring Matthew Broderick and directed by Joshua Goldin.

Wonderful World is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Wonderful World on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.