FILM LIST
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5. I! a,
The Rainbow (15) (Ken Russell, UK, 1989) Sammi Davis, Paul McGann. Amanda Donohoe. Glenda Jackson. 104 mins. Ken Russell's 1969 version 01 'Women In Love' remains lor many the highpoint oi his career. and it's tempting to regard this tllm adaptation of Lawrence’s previous novel to deal with the same characters as a last-ditch attempt by Britain’s most salt-regarding lilm-maker to extricate himseli from the swamp oi campy schlock he's been stuck in tor tar too long. Alter the schoolboy high-links oi the likes 01 Gothic, Salome's Last Dance and Lair oi The White Worm, here's the old boy's chance to prove he can still artistically, so to speak, out it. Crinkle-haired blonde Sammi Davis stars as Ursula Drangwen, a young country lass determined to see something 01 tile. She crosses with lusty bisexual teacher Amanda Donohoe and laithless soldier boy sweetheart Paul McGann on the way to sexual awakening, and passes through
THE RAINBOW
the conlines of an embattled )unior school, but with the eponymous rainbow before her remians tuil of hope and splrltto the and.
Which is more than one can say about the experience 01 actually watching the iilm. Admittedly its scenery and period detail make it visually very pleasant, but despite much naked romping indoors and out the leisurely pace and over-deliberate dialogue mean that the tiim never amounts to much more than a polite literary adaptation, exactly the sort ol thing people with the guts and imagination of a Russell were supposed to save the British cinema irom in the iirst place. With Davis and McGann sadly uninteresting in the central roles, perhaps it‘s hard lor even Ken himseli to rustle up much interest, but compared to the vigour of The Devils or Crimes oi Passion this is like watching a hearth aiterthe tire's gone out. (TrevorJohnston)
From Fri 3 Nov: Glasgow: City Centre Ddeon.
I Mlllenium (PG) (Michael Anderson. US. 1989) Kris Kristofferson. Cheryl Ladd. Daniel J Travanti. 108 mins. In the distant future the heavily polluted world is about to keel over, so time-travellers disguised as air hostesses nip back to the 20th century to spirit passengers away from planes that are about to crash. Enter airline investigator Kristofferson. enter futureperson Cheryl Ladd. and loa potentially arresting sci-fi premise takes second place to dullsville romance. Veteran director Anderson is on his usual ponderous form. Glasgow: Odeon.
I The Mission (PG) (Roland Joffe. UK. 1986) Jeremy Irons. Robert De Niro, Ray McAnally. 125 mins. In 18th century South America a Papal Prelate is called in to resolve a territorial dispute between Spain and Portugal. His decision is dictated by the political climate in Europe and has harsh ramifications for a mission run by Jesuit priests. Both a study ofmale friendship and an exploration of man‘s capacity for the noblest altruism and the most treacherous selfishness. The Mission is an operatic film ofdepth and considerable power. Central: MacRobert Arts Centre.
I Night Mali (U) (Basil Wright & Harry Watt. UK. 1936) 24 mins. Influential British documentary of the 1930s, recently plagiarised for a television commercial. this is a film poem following the mail train from London to Glasgow. The text was written by W.H. Auden. the music by Benjamin Britten. Edinburgh Film Guild. I Nosferatu The Vampire (Werner Herzog, :W.Germany/Franee, 1979) Klaus Kinski.
Lisabella Adjani. Bruno Ganz. 107 mins. Disappointineg turgid remake ofthe expressionist classic. whose main redeeming feature is the splendid make-up and mesmerizing presence of Kinski. Glasgow: Grosvenor.
I Old Gringo ( 15) fir (Luis Puenzo. US. 1989) Jane Fonda. Gregory Peck. Jimmy Smits. 119 mins. See main feature. Glasgow: Cannon Sauchiehall Street. Edinburgh: Dominion.
I Once Upon A Time in America (18) (Sergio Leone. CS. 1983) Robert DeNiro. James Woods. Elizabeth McGovern. 228 mins. The story of two childhood friends and their early entrepreneurial activities which blossom into careers in organised crime and politics. Leone's epic gangster chronicle scrutinises the emregent American society of the early part ofthe century through the aspirations ofthe mob. Mammoth. and often unforgiveably vicious. yet somehow also lyrical and telling. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I One Glance And Love Breaks Dut ( 18) (Jutta Bruckner. W.Germany, 1986). 86 mins. The seven ages of woman, from wedding day to separation. as told through her involvement in Buenos Aires with a man unable to deal with love. Disturbing visual drama. replete with teutonic angst. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I Parents (18) (Bob Balaban. US. 1988) Randy Quaid, Mary Beth Hurt. Sandy Dennis. 90 mins. An imaginative blend of Hairspray Happy Days and the HiILs Have Eyes, Parents is the assured directing debut from Close Encounters actor Balaban. Set in 1958 it follows the
suburban lives of two couples. the son of one pair suspecting ther other couple of being practising cannibals. After an amusing hour of increasingly weird sitcom antics the film changes gear for a distinctly grim ending. Formica fear was never more functional or so much fun. Edinburgh: Filmhouse. Central: MacRobert Arts Centre.
I Peppermint Soda Diabolo Menrhe(15) (Diane Kurys. France. 1977) Eleonore Klarwein. Odile Michel. Anouk Ferjac. 101 mins. Beautifully performed though highly unsentimental autobiographical look at the experiences oftwo teenage sisters growing up in the social and political turmoil of the Sixties. Kurys‘ superb debut feature is a textbook demonstration in bringing life to an overworked genre. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I Police (15) (Maurice Pialat, France. 1985) Gerard Depardieu, Sophie Marceau, Richard Anconina. 113 mins. Tough Parisian narcotics cop Depardieu sets about breaking up an Arab drug ring. but the real tension in his life is an unrequited passion with theft suspect Marceau. Bruising thriller that's alsoa pained examination ofthe non-communication between the sexes and the despair of failed middle-age. Edinburgh University Film Society.
I Dueen oi Hearts (PG) (Jon Amiel. UK. 1989) Joseph Long, Vittorio Duse. Anita Zagaria. 112 mins. Endearing mosaicof life in London‘s immigrant Italian community seen through the eyes ofa child marks the feature debut ofSinging Dcrecrive director Jon Amiel. With its mazy blend of deadly card games. a romantic revenge plot. a casual approach
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to period detail and an impressive talking pig. the film is more a succession of diverting scenes than a fully realised whole. Glasgow: Grosvenor. Edinburgh: Cameo.
I The Rainbow (15) a (Ken Russell. UK. 1989) Sammi Davis. Paul McGann. Amanda Donohoe. Glenda Jackson. 104 mins. See review. Glasgow: Odeon.
I Rain Man ( 15) (Barry Levinson. US. 1988) Dustin Hoffman. Tom Cruise. Valeria Golino. 114 mins.1mpecunious smalltime hustler Charlie Babbitt (Cruise) ends up kidnapping his previously unknown autistic savant brother Raymond (Hoffman). when their late father leaves his $3 million fortune to the latter. However. as the two cross America by road genuine feelings of fraternal affection well up between them. The 1989 major Oscar winner is a warmhearted and touching buddy movie that scrupulously avoids sentimentality, and boasts a detailed performance from Hoffman that skilfully elicits both compassion and frustration. Edinburgh University Film Society.
I Radio Days (PG) (Woody Allen. US. 1987) Mia Farrow, Seth Green. Diane Keaton. 89 mins. Amiably laid back family recollections of the early Forties and the golden age ofthe wireless. Potpourri of modest charm held together by an armful of reliable performances from old lags and the usual flashes ofwit and wisdom. A pleasant time filler for both director and audience. Glasgow: Grosvenor.
I Rate If X ( 18) (Lucy Winer & Paula De Koonigsbcrg. US. 1985) 95 mins. An unsettling feminist survey ofthe
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The List 27 October - 9 November 1989 23