Dear Mr. Wonderful

1982 film by Peter Lilienthal

1982 (1982) (U.S.)

Running time

100 minutesCountryWest GermanyLanguageEnglish

Dear Mr. Wonderful (also known as Ruby's Dream in some US video releases) is a 1982 German comedy-drama crime film starring Joe Pesci.^[1]^[2]

Plot

Ruby Dennis (Joe Pesci) is a small-time lounge singer who owns a bowling alley. The film follows his attempts to make it big while struggling against the mob and finding romance with Sharon (Ivy Ray Browning). Dennis lives with his sister, Paula (Karen Ludwig), and her son, Raymond (Evan Handler). Paula quits her job and runs off to help the poor, leaving Dennis to keep Raymond away from a life of crime. Ruby ventures toward a spiritual crisis, something that is off-kilter to his surroundings.^[3]

Cast

Joe Pesci as Ruby Dennis
Karen Ludwig as Paula
Frank Vincent as Louie
Ed O'Ross as Glenn
Richard S. Castellano as FBI Agent
Ivy Ray Browning as Sharon
Larry Rapp as Arnold
Joseph Rigano as Artie
Gene Ruffini as Jimmy
Ben Dova as Ben
Dominick Grieco as Lenny
Paul Herman as "Hesh"
Evan Handler as Ray
Ronald Maccone as Maurice
Tony Martin as Cameo Role

Awards

Peter Lilienthal, the film's director, won "Outstanding Individual Achievement: Direction" in the 1983 German Film Awards.^[4]

References

^ "Ruby's Dream (1982) - Peter Lilienthal | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related". AllMovie.
^ "DEAR MR. WONDERFUL (1982)". BFI. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020.
^ Maslin, Janet (December 21, 1983). "Lilienthal's 'Mr. Wonderful'". The New York Times.
^ "Dear Mr. Wonderful" – via mubi.com.