Dear Mr. Wonderful Explained

Dear Mr. Wonderful
Starring:	Joe Pesci Larry Rapp Evan Handler Frank Vincent Tony Martin
Music:	Claus Bantzer
Cinematography:	Michael Ballhaus
Director:	Peter Lilienthal
Producer:	Joachim von Vietinghoff
Runtime:	100 minutes
Country:	West Germany
Language:	English

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]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ruby's Dream (1982) - Peter Lilienthal | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related. AllMovie.
2. Web site: DEAR MR. WONDERFUL (1982). https://web.archive.org/web/20200222213652/https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b69bcc856. dead. February 22, 2020. BFI.
3. News: Lilienthal's 'Mr. Wonderful'. Janet. Maslin. The New York Times . December 21, 1983.
4. Web site: Dear Mr. Wonderful. mubi.com.