FILM INDEX
Slater. Alan Rickman. 147 mins. Second outing ofthe year for the Nottingham legend. this time with Hollywood‘sgolden boy in the title role. Costner‘s Robin slips into Indiana Jones mode as he sets about undoing the wrongs of Rickman's I scene-stealing Sheriff in a way that IS wonderfully reminiscent of the best Saturday matinee swashbucklers. Glasgow: Cannon The Forge. Cannon Sauehiehall Street. Edinburgh: Cannon. Dominion. UCl. Strathclyde: Odeon Ayr. Odeon Hamilton. La Scala.UC1 C1ydebank.UCI East Kilbride.
I Racketeer (PG) (Joe Johnston. US. 1991) Bill Campbell. Jennifer Connelly. Alan Arkin. Timothy Dalton. 109 mins. After discovering a stolen experimental rocket pack. out-of-luck pilot CliffSecord (Campbell) finds himself assuming the role of mystery flying figure The Rocketeer in order to save his girlfriend. battle Nazis and save the civilised world. roughly in that order. Great. old-fashioned. matinee-style adventure. if a little sickly in the all-American apple pie department. Edinburgh: UCl. Strathclyde: UCl Clydebank. UCI East Kilbride.
I The Russia House (15) (Fred Schepisi. US. 1990) Sean Connery. Michelle Pfeiffer. Roy Scheider. James Fox. 117 mins. Dated foray into Cold War espionage thrillerdom. which has Connery as a raddled British publisher inexplicably engaged by the intelligence boys to smuggle some documents out from under the Ruskies‘ noses. His blase expectations ofthe whole business are thrown out of kilter by the appearance of lovely Ms Pfeiffer. and a familiar wish-fulfilment adventure ensues. Despite the strength of the original material (John Le Carre). the script (Tom Stoppard). the cast and the director. however. it all looks pretty outmoded now. Glasgow: GFT.
I Scoundrel Love (15) (Hugo Carvana. Brazil. 1991) Marieta Severo. Hugo Carvana. Marcos Palmeira. Nelson Xavier. When Dino. the great poker shark. meets up with his old flame Carmen. the ‘Queen of Hearts‘. the result is an outrageous caper through the streets and casinos of Rio as the two set out for one last payoff. One wonders. however. if this was British. would it star Michael Caine and be shown only on Sunday afternoons and Bank Holidays? Glasgow: GFT.
IThe Searchers (PG) (John Ford. US. 1956) John Wayne. Vera Miles. Jeffrey
Hunter. Natalie Wood. 119 mins. One of Ford‘s finest Westerns. and hence one of the greatest achievements of the genre has Wayne as the obsessive Ethan Edwards. a man whose five-year quest to hunt down the Indians who murdered his wife and captured his young daughter has developed into a thirst for murderous revenge. Indeed. his drive is not onlyto murder the Indians but to kill his own offspring because she‘s been tainted by her time with the Redskins. With Wayne at his most intense. this is one ofold Hollywood‘s darker. richer moments. Glasgow: GFT. I The Sheltering Sky (18) (Bernardo Bertolucci,UK/1ta1y. 1990) Debra Winger. John Malkovich. Campbell Scott. Jill Bennett. 138 mins. The criticism which has met Bertolucci's cherished adaptation of the psychologically complex Paul Bowles novel is only partly fair. The book‘s subtlety is not fully communicated. and Bertolucci's alterations have been frowned upon. but ironically his departures from the text are the source of the most intense cinematic images. And in the central roles as the doomed American couple seeking adventure. meaning and one another's souls in the north African desert. Winger‘s Kit may be flawed. but Malkovich‘s Port is a superbly intuitive characterisation. Edinburgh: Filmhouse. I Silence OfThe Lambs ( 18) (Jonathan Demme. US. 1991)Jodie Foster.
TRUE IDENTITY
True Identity (15) (Charles Lane, US, 1991) Lenny Henry, Frank Langella, Charles Lane, J.T. Walsh. 95 mins. By ; all accounts, it was seeing Lenny Henryi made up as Steve Martin in his Live ' And Unleashed concert movie that convinced the Touchstone execs that our boy was ripe for a leading role in his first Hollywood movie. As True identity makes clear, however, there is f a big difference between appearing in j make-up for a few brief moments and looking convincing enough as a white guy to carry the plot of a whole picture. 1
Here Lenny plays struggling actor Miles Pope, who’s flying back from a humiliating experience in a raisin advert when he winds up beside famous theatrical impresario Leland Carver (a reptilian Frank Langella).
Whaddaya know but the plane hits some heavy turbulence and it looks as if everyone on board is about to die, , whereupon Carver confesses that he is, z in fact, none other than notorious mob boss Frank Luchino, who faked his own death five years back and is now living under a respectable new identity. Whaddaya know part two and the plane gets on an even keel again and everyone is saved. Apart from our Lenny, that is, whose life is now in danger because he’s now become the proverbial man who knows too much. Meanwhile, enter salvation in the shape of Miles's pal and noted special effects expert Duane (Charles Lane), who uses his skills to transform his buddy into a caucasian hooky so he can escape Luchino’s henchmen long enough to get FBI man Houston (J.T. Walsh) back on the case.
All of which is a very laborious way of getting Len under lots of foundation and a wig to supposedly comic effect, the ralson d’étre being that he learns about racial prejudice and being true to
yourself etc, etc. All the usual
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other words. And yet, for a movie that’s ostensibly about prejudice, it’s absolutely crammed with the most horrendoust stereotyped Italian-Americans, all of whom are portrayed as sadistic gorillas or calculating mafiosi. Indeed, the whole mob threat aspect to the plotting, replete with much swearing and violent shootings, at times throws the lightly humorous tone of the piece wildly awry. A bit like Lenny’s barely credible make-up job, by mixing comedy and gangster movie elements the filmmakers have ended up with an awkward hybrid that’s not much of anything really. Just damn peculiar. (TrevorJohnston)
From 20 Sept. Glasgow: Odeon. Edinburgh Odeon, UCl. Strathclyde: Odeon Ayr, Odeon Hamilton, UCl Clydebank, UCl East Kllbrlde.
Anthony Hopkins. Scott Glenn. 119mins. Following a series of horrific serial murders. imprisoned psycho-killer Hopkins is released to help Foster and Glenn‘s FBI agents track down the culprit. Adapted from a novel byThomas Murtlttmter 1 1arris. Demme‘s film version is a subtle but scarey suspense shocker. with two excellent performances and great narrative drive. Edinburgh: UCLWMR Film Centre.
I Sleeping With The Enemy ( 15) (Joseph Ruben. US. 1990) Julia Roberts. Patrick Bergin. Kevin Anderson. 115 mins. Hollywood‘s hottest female star is once again the centre ofattention in this effective thriller about a woman driven to desperate steps to avoid her psychopathically violent husband. The delicate — not to say socially important— subject matter is approached with as much sensitivity and responsibility as can be expected from Hollywood. but ultimately the film is too light and glossy to be taken seriously as anything other than gripping entertainment. Edinburgh: Cameo.
I Soapdish ( 12) (Michael Hoffman. CS. 1991 ) Sally Field. Kevin Kline. Robert Downey Jr. Whoopi Goldberg. 96 mins. Undemanding entertainment is both the subject and nature ofthis comedy set in a TV studio producing a soap opera. Sally Field plays actress Celeste Talbot facing a reunion with her ex-boyfriend Kline.both on screen and off. Limp. Glasgow:
Cannon Clarkston Road. Cannon
Sauchiehall Street. Edinburgh: Cannon. L'Cl. Central: Cannon. Strathclyde: Odeon Ayr.L'C1C1ydebank.
I Son of the River(15)((firot‘appellari. Argentina. 1991 ) Juan Ramon Lopez. Gabriel Mario Tureo. Norman Briski. 90 mins. Forced to seek out his father in Buenos Aires because of a fight over land rights in his home village. a young Chorote lndian is thrown into a world ofthicves and bandits. Unable to find work. but hemmed in on all sides by crime. he realises that he must leave the country. Glasgow: GFT.
I The Spider‘s Stratagem ( 15 ) (Bernardo Bertolucci. Italy. 1970) Guilio Brogi. Alida Valli. Tino Scotti. Allen .‘Vfidgett. 97 mins. Returning home to investigate the defacement ofhis heroic father's memorial. Athos Magnani (Brogi) discovers a world of mysteries. omens and ambiguities. Bertolucci's version ofthe Borgcs' short story shows the director at the height of his powers. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I Subwayto the Stars ( 15) (Carlos Diegues. Brazil. 1987)Gui1herme Fontes. Milton Goncalves. Taumaturgo Ferreira. 103 mins. A young musician with a promising career ahead of him finds himself in the squalor of Rio‘s nocturnal underbelly as he searches for his missing girlfriend. Oscar-nominated as Best Foreign Film a few years ago. Glasgow: GFT.
ITeen Agent(PG) (William Dear. US. 1991 ) Richard Grieco. Linda Hunt. Roger Daltrey. Geraldine James. Michael Siberry. 89 mins. See review. Glasgow: Cannon The Forge. Cannon Sauehiehall Street. Edinburgh: Cannon. UCl. Central: Caledonian. Strathclyde: Kelburne. UCl Clydebank. UCl East Kilbride. I Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ( PG) (Steve Barron. US. 1990) Judith Hoag.. Elias Koteas. Josh Pais. Michelan Sisti. Leif'l‘ilden. David Forman. 93 mins. You've read the hype. played the video game. seen the trailers. used the toothpaste. played with the toys. eaten the pizza. What the hell ~ go treat yourselfto the real garbage. Made cheaply. made millions. Glasgow;GF'1‘. I Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2(1’0) (Michael Pressman. US. 1991 ) Paige Turco. David Warner. Ernie Reyeer. 87 mins. A quick return for theoriginal shell-suits. although with less plot and less violence than the original. The evil Shredder has decided to grow a couple of mutants of his own. and it seems thatonly our four adolescent amphibians can save the day with the odd pizza reference and a truly dire ‘Ninja Rap' (with the painfully embarrassing Vanilla Ice). Time to hang up those shells. dudes. Glasgow: Cannon The Forge. Edinburgh: ()deon.UC1. Central: Allanpark. Strathclyde: Odeon Ayr. 1I(.‘1C1ydebank. UCl East Kilbride. I Terminator 2: Judgment Day ( 15) (James Cameron. US. 1991) Arnold Swarzenegger. Linda Hamilton. Edward Furlong. Robert Patrick. 136 mins. The most expensive film ever made. In a reprogrammed role that says much about his changed image since the first movie. Arnie becomes the underdog fightingto protect mother and child from another more advanced cyborg. With an element of uncontrived human compassion lurking throughout the gloriously expensive action sequences. as Swarzeneggcr‘s cyborg develops human feelings. this is more than just a $100 million fairground ride. Glasgow: Cannon The Forge. ()deon. Salon. Edinburgh: Dominion. ()dcon. UCI. Central: Caledonian. Cannon. Strathclyde: Cannon. Kclburnc. ()deon Ayr. Odeon Hamilton. UCI Clydebank.UC1 East Kilbridc. WMR Film Centre. I Tetsuo ( lh’) (Shinya Tsukamoto.Japan. 1989) ()7 mins. See preview. Also with Red & Rosy. Frank (irow's surreal drag~car mutilation drama. Glasgow: GFT. I Thelma & Louise ( 15) (Ridley Scott. US. 1991 ) Susan Sarandon. Geena Davis. Harvey Keitcl. Michael Madsen. 129 mins. The buddy. road movie genres are turned on their heads as Sarandon and Davis grasp the steering wheel and head off leaving a trail ofmurder and mayhem in their wake. ()n one level. the film isthc critical catalyst that had the feminists cheering and put the stars on the coverof Time magazine; just as importantly. it's an accessible piece ofentertainment with excellent central performances. Glasgow: Cannon Clarkston Road. Cannon Sauehiehall Street. I These Foolish Things ( 15) (Bertrand Tavernier. France. 1990) Dirk Bogarde. ()dette Laure. Jane Birkin. 105 mins. 1n Bogarde‘s first screen appearance for twelve years. he plays an Englishman abroad in the South of France. who gradually develops a bond with his formerly distant daughter (Birkin)after surviving a heart operation. Tavernier‘s gentle touch produces a subtle and undramatic. but warm and moving family drama. Central: MacRobert Arts Centre. I Topper (U) (Norman 2. McLeod. US. 1937) Cary Grant. Constance Bennett. Roland Young. Billie Burke. 96 mins. A stuffy banker (Young) is haunted by the ghosts of a dashing and sophisticated couple. An influential comedy that still encourages the odd chuckle. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
20 The List 13 -— 26 September 1991