Wonder Boys
(Sony Music Soundtrax)
The premise behind this Michael Douglas vehicle is how a middle-aged college professor, once a shining star of the literary world, struggles with the realization that he’s probably past his prime. This collection of music from the movie features bittersweet offerings from the salad days of a host of songwriters, who, like the Douglas character, did their best work 30-odd years ago. Be that as it may, Bob Dylan continues to amaze after all these years, and his characteristically brooding, prophetic “Things Have Changed” is not only his best single in years, but also the best song he’s written specifically for a film since “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” augmented Sam Peckinpah’s Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid back in 1973. Three other Dylan songs appear as well — “Buckets of Rain” (’74), “Shooting Star” (’89), and “Not Dark Yet” (’97) — but none elicit the cogency of the new tune. Neil Young’s evergreen, “Old Man,” John Lennon’s “Watching the Wheels,” Leonard Cohen’s “Waiting for the Miracle,” and Van Morrison’s “Philosophers Stone” are an impressive representation of sterling songwriting by the cream of their generation. Important in their time but virtually forgotten today, ace songwriters Tom Rush and Tim Hardin make heartfelt contributions to the mix as well. A delicious change of pace comes from two deep soul classics, Little Willie John’s “Need Your Love So Bad” and Clarence Carter’s “Slip Away,” plus the obscure Buffalo Springfield gem, “A Child’s Claim to Fame.” Whether this collection as it pertains to the film is intended as a parable to reflect the angst and foibles of an entire aging generation is open to speculation. As a musical companion to a star-driven, Hollywood movie, it succeeds splendidly. 
This article appears in April 28 • 2000.