The Wizard of Loneliness (film)

The Wizard of Loneliness
Directed by	Jenny Bowen
Written by	Nancy Larson Jenny Bowen
Based on	The Wizard of Loneliness by John Nichols
Produced by	Thom Tyson
Starring	Lukas Haas Lea Thompson Lance Guest Dylan Baker John Randolph
Cinematography	Richard Bowen
Edited by	Lisa Day
Production companies	Virgin Vision American Playhouse Theatrical Films
Distributed by	Skouras Pictures
Release date	September 2, 1988 (1988-09-02)
Running time	111 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$2.4 million
Box office	$144,566

The Wizard of Loneliness is a 1988 American drama film directed by Jenny Bowen and starring Lukas Haas, Lea Thompson, Lance Guest, Dylan Baker, and John Randolph. It is based on the 1966 book of the same name by John Nichols.

Premise

Young Wendall Oler is sent to live with his Aunt Sybil and Uncle John when his father is called on to fight in World War II. Lonely and unhappy, Wendall harbors the delusion that he possesses amazing powers and becomes involved in some family secrets.

Cast

• Lukas Haas as Wendall Oler
• Lea Thompson as Aunt Sybil
• Lance Guest as Uncle John
• Dylan Baker as Duffy Kahler
• John Randolph as Doc
• David Moscow as Jimmy Wiggen
• Anne Pitoniak as Cornelia
• Jason Cook as Monroe
• Ken Jenkins as Joel Spender
• Michael Buhl as Chad Spender

Critical reception

Critic Rita Kempley wrote in The Washington Post that the film "is Rockwell with angst, a dour but cutesy drama" with "bad special effects," and described the title character as "a mean-spirited, Walter Mittyish 12-year-old," a "sullen brat," and "nowhere near as lonely as the folks selling tickets will be."

External links

• The Wizard of Loneliness at IMDb
• The Wizard of Loneliness at Rotten Tomatoes