Friday, October 18, 1996
"To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday"
Directed by Michael Pressman. Starring Peter Gallagher and
Claire Danes.
In one corner, some of the strongest performers in today’s
cinema. In the other, a film of sticky sentimentality and
melodrama.
The resulting stalemate is "To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday," a
pleasant enough diversion if you’re a fan of the actors in question
but not much more.
Peter Gallagher, master of smarmy steel, executes a shift of
sorts, playing a decidedly nice father who lost his wife (Michelle
Pfeiffer) in a boating accident two years earlier. On the
anniversary of her death, and on what would have been her birthday,
his daughter (Claire Danes) and friends visit to spend the weekend
at his place in Nantucket. His wife shows up as well, in fantasy
segments as he walks along the beach.
Needless to say, there’s a lot of "Ghost" redux here, and
despite a little different spin on what it means to carry on
conversations with the dead, the proceedings are supposed to be
romantic. Kelley’s script occasionally grasps at these moments, but
Pressman’s direction is inconsistent at best. A better sensibility
at the helm may have helped this film overcome the predictable
theatrical weaknesses.
But as stagey as this gets, it never sinks into the Lifetime
Movie of the Week it could become. The reason is the performances.
Michelle Pfeiffer is half her usual self, which is more than
enough, playing a character who strains credibility and interest.
Gallagher is a little flat, but always convincing and likable.
And Claire Danes is simply terrific. She has that lip-quivering
thing down, along with a whole range of tangible emotions that
quickly transcend the meager lines of dialogue she’s asked to
deliver. Her brief scenes with Pfeiffer are the film’s most
memorable, but not for anything much to do with the film. Despite
the scripted corniness of some of these moments, there’s a fleeting
joy, some kind of visceral rush, in watching these two talents
perform together. Maybe it’s the realization that fantasy sequences
are by their nature finite, and the movie is bound to start up
again. In any case, fans of Danes attend, all others beware.
Michael Horowitz Grade: B
"Trees Lounge"
Written and directed by Steve Buscemi. Starring Steve
Buscemi.
In his directing and writing debut, veteran indie actor Steve
Buscemi ("Reservoir Dogs," "In the Soup") proves that this new
actor-turned-director trend might not be so bad.
His no-frills film about barfly Tommy Basilio from the
blue-collar New York town of Stream Valley provides a unique story
that is simply filmed but elaborately acted. Although shy on plot,
Buscemi’s slightly slow script is rich in characters. Most of the
film focuses more on what the characters are like than what happens
to them. A major plot twist, for example, is Basilio’s decision to
take over his deceased uncle’s job as an ice cream truck driver. In
most films, the career move would be an unimportant but comic
addition to the main plot. In "Trees Lounge," it is a pivotal plot
point.
Based on Buscemi’s life, the character Basilio must deal with
family problems, ex-friend and ex-girlfriend problems, economic
problems, and, of course, his ice cream truck route. With Buscemi’s
bug-eyed, unevenly toothed grin, he plays off the self-destructive
and strangely charismatic Basilio perfectly.
The film’s overall effect, although slightly dull from the
absence of a dramatic plot, is enjoyable. The film’s characters are
dark and there are no happy endings, but there is enough comedy to
keep the movie fresh.
Emily Forster Grade: B
"Swingers"
Directed by Doug Liman. Starring Jon Favreau and Vince
Vaughn.
Anyone who’s ever been dumped and waited by the phone can
relate. Anyone who’s ever listened to their friends’ all-holy love
advice can relate. And anyone who’s ever gone through the dating
scene in their twenties (bars, clubs, slime balls, etc.) can
relate.
"Swingers" tells the story of five best friends living in
Hollywood and searching for a good time. It is a comical view of
what everyone goes through to impress the opposite sex.
Director Doug Liman has captured the life of every group of
twenty-something guys who have ever been in search of women.
Liman’s film resembles a documentary, which may seem unappealing to
some but actually draws viewers in and allows them to relate to the
situations better.
Main character Trent, played with charisma by Vince Vaughn, is a
man who seems to know exactly how to get the "digits" (the film’s
slang for girls’ phone numbers).
The character of Mike, convincingly played by Jon Favreau, is
the mourning ex-boyfriend who hasn’t talked to his ex-girlfriend in
six months after a six-year relationship. It is hard not to feel
sorry for Mike, who has been out of the scene for so long that he
can hardly talk to a girl. Both actors are equally impressive and
the chemistry between them is reminiscent of the all-famous Brat
Pack.
The soundtrack, full of jazz and swing, adds a lot to the mood
of the film, enhancing the film’s overall effect on the
audience.
Still, with all the praise given to this movie, one word of
caution is in order. The slang can get a little overbearing. Trent
has a tendency to call anything from a supermodel to his best
friend Mike a "baby." And, according to Trent, you’ll only get the
"digits" if you look "money." The overzealous use of Trent’s
favorite words does add a comical touch of absurdity to the story,
but it gets grating after a while.
As a package, though, this movie is enjoyable and even quite
humorous for those able to laugh at their own lives.
Julie Cordua Grade: B+
"Jude"
Directed by Michael Winterbottom. Starring Kate Winslet and
Christopher Eccleston.
Thomas Hardy, a classic 19th-century poet and author, wrote
dark, tragic stories that examined the nature of grief. His final
novel, "Jude the Obscure," is the story of one man’s quest for
intellectual fulfillment and the love of one woman. The upcoming
screen adaptation of the novel, titled simply "Jude," captures the
essence of the novel.
Jude Fawley (Christopher Eccleston of "Shallow Grave") is an
orphaned Englishman who spends his youth reading and studying in
hopes of one day attending the prestigious Christminster
University.
His plans are deferred, however, when he falls in lust with a
local girl and marries her. They soon separate and he leaves his
hometown to find work as a stonemason. Upon meeting a long lost
cousin, Sue Bridehead (Kate Winslet of "Sense and Sensibility"),
his attentions are once again diverted from his studies. Their
friendship is invigorating for both of them; she teaches him how to
really enjoy life, and he helps her find a profession.
As their romantic love grows, they fight off the obvious fate of
marriage, an institution in which neither believe. The film
continues to span the relationship as Jude and Sue split up and
come back together several times, and eventually they realize true
happiness will only come once they commit to each other.
"Jude" is an incredible love story, but Hardy never wrote a
story void of tragedy, and this is no exception. Jude’s life is
marked with disappointment and heartbreak that even love can’t
overcome.
The story, though set in the 19th century, contains themes of
discrimination and small-mindedness prevalent even today. The film
isn’t convoluted with archaic language and costumes. In fact, it is
easy to forget that it is indeed a period piece. The scenery is
diverse and fitting, and the direction brings much of the literary
detail of the novel to the screen.
As a virtual newcomer, Eccleston carries his role as well as any
seasoned actor could, but Winslet commands every scene she appears
in.
Lori Swingle Grade: A-
(r.) Peter Gallagher and (l.) Bruce Altman sing karaoke in "To
Gillian on Her 37th Birthday."