Wonderland 2003
"He was basically a nerd, and he really had wonderful qualities. I've never really played a hustler before, but he was absolutely a world-class hustler. A liar lies and a thief steals from you, but a hustler gives you something that you don't mind parting with your money for. You`re entertained by the meal or the sex or the impression that something is going to happen. You`re given a sense of well-being, and he was good at it." ~Val Kilmer On his character, John Holmes
The Wonderland Murders
Story On the afternoon of July 1, 1981, Los Angeles police responded to a distress call at 8763 Wonderland Avenue in Laurel Canyon and discovered a grisly quadruple homicide. Ron Laurius (Josh Lucas), Billy Deverell (Tim Blake), Barbara Richardson (Natasha Wagner) and Joy Miller (Janeane Garofalo) were found brutally murdered, bludgeoned to death with a pipe and Launius's wife Susan (Christina Applegate), was left in critical condition.
The police investigation that followed -- led by detectives Sam Nico, Louis Cruz and Mike Peters -- would unearth a seedy world of drugs and violence, ultimately revealing a motley crew from L.A's underbelly including ex-con David Lind (Dylan McDermott), nightclub impresario Eddie Nash (Eric Bogosian), and porn legend John Holmes (Val Kilmer) as well as Holmes's estranged wife Sharon (Lisa Kudrow) and his teenage lover Dawn Schiller (Kate Bosworth).
Cast Val Kilmer, Kate Bosworth, Lisa Kudrow, Josh Lucas and Dylan McDermott
Our Two Cents This is another example of a film with an outstanding cast, exemplary performances, excellent direction and it received very little publicity or recognition. Kilmer's portrayal of a porn star, druggie, has-been John Holmes was another Kilmer great that should have awarded him top academy honors.
FYI A fabulous collection of art was created by Kilmer and his talented photographer/artist friend, Ali Alborzi.
The Latest Buzz on Wonderland: Dawn Schiller has written her memoirs in a new book The Road Through Wonderland, which chronicles her childhood and the events that led to her teenage relationship with porn star, John Holmes. This book is a brutally honest account of Schiller's devastating relationship with Holmes. We highly recommend this courageous book.