INDEX FILM
the blend of myth, satire and romance is strong. Unfortunately, the wonderful central performances by Williams and Bridges are let down by a cop-out, upbeat ending. General release.
I Ghost ( 12) (Gerry Zucker, US, 1990) Patrick Swayze. Demi Moore. Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Goldwyn. 126 mins. Death doth part happy couple Swayze and Moore when the former falls victim to a late-night mugging. Not content merelyto pass on, however, he returns to try and get back in touch with his wife via medium Goldberg (who won an Oscar for her supporting role), in an attempt to warn her about financial and other dangers. Amiable supernatural comedy-drama, which spawned a few inferior imitations. Glasgow: GFT.
I La Glolre De Mon Pere (PG) (Yves Robert. France, 1990) Philippe Caubere. Nathalie Roussel. Didier Pain,Therese Leotard. 105 mins. The first of two films based on the memoirs of Marcel Pagnol (of Jean De Floretre/Manon Des Sources fame), this is a story of the remembered joys of childhood, focusing on Pagnol’s father (Caubere), a successful schoolteacher. and on a summer holiday in Provence, where the young Marcel (Ciamaca) discovers the beauty ofthe countryside, the value of friendship and the sad fact that holidays come to an end. Charming and summery. ifsomewhat sentimental. Edinburgh: Cameo.
I Hangin' With The Homeboys (15) (Joseph B. Vasquez, US. 1991) Doug E. Doug, Mario Joyner, John Leguizamo. Nestor Serrano. 88 mins. Four friends - an angry young black man. a struggling actor. a womaniser and a naive supermarket clerk — go off in search of a good time on a Friday night. It's supposed to be a break from their daily drudgery, but it only brings more trouble. Subtly addictive film that includes hilarious ensemble performances. Glasgow: Cannon Sauchiehall Street. Edinburgh: Cameo. I Henry: Portrait OtA Serial Killer(l8) (John McNaughton, US. 1986) Michael Rooker, Tom Towles, Tracey Arnold. 80 mins. Based loosely on the true life (and subsequently recanted) confessions of Henry Lee Lucas, McNaughton‘s exemplary film is a harrowing account of an amoral mass murderer. Scenes of rape and mutilation transcend the usual titillation of the genre and force the audience to question the use of murder as entertainment. Simultaneously one ofthe most important releases of recent years. and one recommended with caution. Edinburgh: Cameo.
I Home Alone (PG) (Chris Columbus, US. 1990) Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard. Catherine O‘Hara. 103 mins. Peter and Kate McCallister (Heard and O‘Hara) have an eight-year-old brat and wisely — albeit accidentally - leave him behind in Chicago when they go on holiday to Paris. Leftto his own devices young Kevin (Culkin) has to deal with two bungling burglars (Pesci and Stern) who threaten to invade his peaceful haven. Jolly, if sadistic, scare-comedy antics produced by teenflick veteran John Hughes. Strathclyde: UCI East Kilbride, WMRTilm Centre.
I Hot Shots (12) (Jim Abrahams. US,
1991 ) Charlie Sheen, Cary Elwes, Valeria Golino, Lloyd Bridges. 87 mins. An elite corps of flyers are assembled for a dangerous mission led by a blustery war veteran. In the hands of, say, Tony Scott, this would have been a star-spangled action adventure; in the hands of Jim Abrahams, however, it becomes another Airplane.” Top Secret spoof that sends up the macho world of fighter pilots. Thankfully the rapid~fire wit and visual gags score as many hits as misses, but Gulf War timing and billing as ‘the mother ofall movies’ kick it into a rather dubious satirical league. See preview. General release.
I l. The Worst oiAll (Maria Luisa Bemberg. Argentina, 1990) Assumpta
ENCHANTED APRIL
Enchanted April (U) (Mike Newell, UK/US, 1991) Miranda Richardson, Josie Lawrence, Allred Molina, Joan Plowright. 95 mins. British movies, dontcha iust love’em? Although we saw it betore in Room With A View, saw it again in Where Angels FearTo Tread, hell we’re going to see it one more time in Enchanted April. Yes, it’s the hardest working storyline in showbusiness, the good ol' Brits In Italy scenario. You surely know the kind at thing by now: repressed middle-class types (rustling dresses tor the ladies, glued-on lacial hair tor the chaps), circa sometime a lot earlierthis century, head oil to the continent (where all is balmy and the light hath the glowing luminescence of a Cometto ad) and beiore you can say ‘tuck me gently with a chainsaw’ the groovy ltallanate vibes help them get their heads together. The entire cast list lives happily ever alter and the usherettes come round with pointed sticks to rouse the audience Irom their slumbers.
Here Miranda Richardson and Josie Lawrence are two miserably repressed housewives attached, respectively, to cheery photographerJim Broadbent and slutty solicitor Allred Mollna. Answering a newspaper ad, the pair manage to rent a holiday mansion just
south oi Genoa and find another couple at dissatisfied women in Polly Walker’s beautiiuI-yet-unlulllIled aristo and Joan Plowright's haughty grande dame, with whom they share the expenses. Neither oi the two ringleaders invite their husbands on the trip, but once ensconced in terminally lovely Portollno, there seems to be nothing Ior it but to ask them along anyhow. The magic oi Italy does its very worst, sell-conlidence Ilourishes in idyllic landscape, marriages are saved, Iutures are decided, pasts re-assessed.
Even ii Josie Lawrence appears to be doing an extended Whose Line Is It Anyway? request spot, the distinguished cast trudge doggedly onwards in protessionally thespy manner. It’s not theirtault really. It’s just that it’s all so Home Counties, so ‘charming’, so ‘delighttul’. Forthis particular viewer, a power-cut In the middle ol the screening came as something at a relief, and I spent the impromptu interval coming up with anagrams oi the title. ‘Crap Linen Death' was my favourite. Says It all, I reckon. (Trevor Johnston)
From 13 Dec: Glasgow: Odeon. Edinburgh: Cameo.
Serna, Dominique Sanda, Hector Alterio. 105 mins. Set in 17th century Mexico, this film from Argentina‘s leading feminist director follows the life of poet, playwright. intellectual and nun, Sister Juana Ines de la Cruz. Her privileged position allows her to continue writing until the local archbishop conspires to end her work. Demanding, but ultimately rewarding. Edinburgh: Filmhouse.
I The Icicle ThieI (PG) (Maurizio Nichetti. Italy, 1989) Maurizio Nichetti, Caterina Sylos Labini, Heidi Komarek, Claudio Fulva. 98 mins. Director Nichetti returns to movies after seven years in television to wreak revenge on the latter medium's awful glossiness. In a multi-layered satire, Nichetti plays both himself— appearing on television to present his new art movie The Icicle Thief - and Antonio, the main character within the film. A ‘typical‘ Italian family watch the film at home, switching channels and making phone calls. and every few minutes the elegant monochrome is interrupted by crass, full-colour commercials. while the director despairs. Intelligent and very
entertaining. Strathclyde: UCI East Kilbride.
I In The Realm OI The Senses AiNo Corrida (18) (Nagisa Oshima, Japan, 1976) Tatsuya Fuji, Eiko Matsuda. 105 mins. At last deemed fit for certification, Oshima‘s shockingly erotic film can now be publicly screened. In the militarist Japan of 1936. a couple enclose themselves in their own sensual world, their passion escalating until only death can provide the next orgasm. Masterly though necessarily extremely explicit look ' at the power of sexual arousal, which has attracted controversy throughout the world. Glasgow: GFT.
I It’s A Wondertul Lite (PG) (Frank Capra, US, 1946) James Stewart, Donna Reed, Henry Travers, Thomas Mitchell. 129 mins. Small-town boy Stewart runsinto financial difficulties and is on the brink of suicide when an elderly angel descends to earth to show him all the good his life has done for those around him. Archetypal Capra sentimentality with a superbly detailed fantasy framework and one of Stewart‘s most lovable performances.
E53 CAMEO HE!
HOME STREET 0 TOLLCROSS 0 TR. 031.22. 4141
'rr0'“ Trdqy (ith
Hangin' with the Homeboys 15
4.20, 6.20. 9.00 Late Nights Thurs. FTI, Sat 11.25pm
Dijtly’ 13:"
Enchanted April u
2.40, 4.45. 8.15 Late Nights Thurs, Fri. Sat 11.25pm
CAMEO TWO
i-ror'i Friday CTN
Valmont 15
2.50, 5.40. 8.30 Late Nights Thurs. Fri, Sat 11.20pm
‘rorn I riddy 13th
Tales of Beatrix Potter u 2.30. 4.20
Hangin' with the Homeboys 15 6.45. 8.45 Late Nights Thurs. Fri, Sat 11.20pm
CAMEO THREE
I-ror“ Friday (51h
Rambling Rose 15 4.30 (not Sun), 6.40, 8.55
From Frxiny 13H- Vaimont 15 2.50 (not Sun), 5.40, 8.30
SEE LISTINGS FOR LATE NIGHTS AND MATINEES
W fllm
siety
DECEMBER
Thurs 5. George Square Theatre 6,4Spm TIME BANDITS 8.50pm BARON MUNCHAUSEN
Sun 8. George Souare Theatre
6.45pm SATUDAY NIGHT, SUNDAY MORNING
8.309m SHIRLEY VALENTINE
Tues 10. Pleasance 6.45pm ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES
8.35pm THE HIT
Thurs i 1. GeOrge Square Theatre 6.45pm PARIS VU PAR... 8.30pm NEW YORK STORIES
Contact: E UFS 60, The Pleasance Edinburgh 031 557 0436
The List 6— 19 December 1991 19