FILM / Nationwide readers' screening

The Independent launches the first of a nationwide series of exclusive readers' previews with a screening of Mr Wonderful at 10 cinemas across the country. Anthony Minghella's first film since his acclaimed Truly, Madly, Deeply is set in Brooklyn's Italian-American community and stars Matt Dillon as an electrician keen to marry off his ex-wife, played by Annabella Sciorra (he can't afford the alimony). But his comic misadventures while attempting to find her a new mate don't have quite the intended effect . . .

Mr Wonderful (which also stars William Hurt) was one of the hits of the Edinburgh Film Festival. 'Minghella has demonstrated that he is not a one- hit director with this lovely, funny, heart-warming, heart- breaking film,' The Herald wrote, while Sight and Sound described it as 'a beguiling blue-collar romance that demonstrated how readily his perceptive eye has survived the potentially tricky transition to an American milieu.' And the Scotsman praised Dillon as 'an excellent actor who can be stupid, tough, sensitive intelligent and hurt, all at the same time'.

Mr Wonderful opens across Britain on 22 October, but Independent readers are invited to free previews on Sunday 17 October. These will be held at: MGM Tottenham Ct Road, Odeon Richmond, Odeon Swiss Cottage, Cornerhouse Manchester, Broadway Nottingham, Watershed Bristol, Phoenix Oxford, MGM Cambridge, Odeon Birmingham and Odeon Brighton. They begin at 11am, except at the Watershed Bristol (2.30) and the Broadway Nottingham (12.00 noon).

As a bonus, readers attending the screenings are eligible for a free draw to win a bouquet of flowers supplied by Interflora.

To apply for tickets, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Mr Wonderful Screening, Corbett and Keene Limited, 122 Wardour Street, London W1V 3LA. Don't forget to state your preferred cinema (with a second and third choice, if applicable). This offer is strictly subject to availability.

(Photograph omitted)