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.
Contents
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."