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Eternal
Triangle
A history told
in whispers.
By
Lois Wadsworth
THE CAT'S MEOW: Directed by
Peter Bogdanovich. Written by Steven Peros. Producers, Kim Bieber,
Carol Lewis. Executive producer, Mike Paseornek. Cinematography, Bruno
Delbonnel. Production design, Jean-Vincent Puzos. Art director, Jan
Niesler, Loukas Iconomopoulos. Costumes, Caroline de Vivaise. Starring
Kirsten Dunst, Edward Herrmann, Eddie Izzard and Cary Elwes, with
Joanna Lumley, Jennifer Tilly and Claudia Harrington. Lions Gate Films,
2002. PG-13. 112 minutes.
It's the hey day of Hollywood silent pictures,
as fur-clad flappers and dandy fellows board William Randolph Hearst's
opulent yacht, the Oneida, for a weekend of booze and jazz
in November 1924. The country's dry as a bone, so going out to international
waters is the way the elites drink what's illegal on land. Hearst
(Edward Herrmann) is not only a newspaper magnate but also a Hollywood
producer. He has invited fellow producer Thomas Ince (Cary Elwes);
actor, producer, director Charlie Chaplin (Eddie Izzard); gossip queen
Louella Parsons (Jennifer Tilley); British novelist Elinor Glen (Joanna
Lumley), who is our narrator; and other less well-known Hollywood
people. And presiding over the festivities is Hearst's mistress, actress
Marion Davies (Kirsten Dunst).
Although the formal excuse for the cruise is to celebrate
Ince's birthday, the actual purpose is to bring Chaplin and Davies
together, so Hearst can spy on them. The sparkling Davies is devoted
to her lover but attracted to her old flame, Chaplin, as well. Chaplin's
a scamp. His latest girl, an underage co-star, appeared on the set
of his new movie pregnant, and the scandal mongers are making a stink
about it. Although Chaplin seems genuinely infatuated with Davies,
and they make a stunning couple, she realizes he's incapable of loving
her with Hearst's depth of feeling. And Hearst cannot bear to share
her with anyone.
Director Peter Bogdanovich, in a long anticipated
return to feature films, overcomes the obvious limitations of setting
a film on a yacht by using its narrow hallways, cramped stairs and
luxurious staterooms to create suspense. He makes up for this tasty
confection's slender plot with deft characterizations. He's always
been great with actors, and the cast responds beautifully to his ensemble
direction. The characters bear little likeness to today's moguls and
movie stars but more closely resemble the upstairs crowd in Gosford
Park. Like that film, The Cat's Meow is also a mannered
set-piece that reveals gradations within a privileged social structure.
But here the society is made up of Hollywood insiders, outsiders and
wannabes, and class is a matter of money, as Hearst shows with flair.
Those like the influential Ince, who has lost the
knack for making money with his pictures, find themselves uncomfortably
in limbo — no longer part of the upper class yet deathly afraid
to move down the ladder. Others in the party aim high, like the ambitious
busybody Parsons, who is determined to find "security" within Hollywood's
gossip scene. Still others, such as Ince's
mistress, Margaret Livingston (Claudia Harrison), hope to be "discovered"
by some rich, famous Hollywood producer.
It's tricky to base a movie on an actual event when
no official report exists. All we know is that this pleasure trip
went wrong, and one of the guests died. The people who were there
either never spoke about it, or their version is at odds with others'
recollection. Many went on to make more movies; some found their wildest
dreams granted; and a few took a dark secret to their graves. And
while this may not be the "truth" about what happened, it's good to
have a different picture of Davies and Hearst than Orson Welles's
version of them in Citizen Kane. Bogdanovich is more forgiving.
Highly recommended, it opens at the Bijou June 14.
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From
Zorro to Zero
Mid-life impasse.
By
Lois Wadsworth
SON OF THE BRIDE (Argentina, 2001):
Directed by Juan José Campanella. Written by Campanella and Fernando
Castets. Produced by Adrián Suar. Executive producer, Juan Pablo
Galli. Cinematographer, Daniel Shulman. Production design, Juan Vera.
Art direction Mercedes Alfonsín. Editor, Camilo Antolini. Music,
Angel Illaramendi. Starring Ricardo Darín, Héctor Alterio,
Norma Aleandro, Eduardo Blanco, Natalia Verbeke with Gimena Nóbile,
Claudia Fontán and David Masajnik. Sony Pictures Classics Release,
2002. R. 124 minutes.
Juan José Campanella's Son of the Bride
is a 2001 foreign film Academy Award nominee that tracks the mid-life
breakdown and recovery of a 42-year-old restaurateur in Buenos Aires.
Rafael Belvedere (Ricardo Darín) is so stressed out trying to
keep his business from going under and his daughter Vicky (Gimena
Nóbile), his girlfriend Nati (Natalia Verbeke), his ex-wife Sandra
(Claudia Fontán) and his dad Nino (Héctor Alterio) happy
with the little time he has for them, that he's reaching critical
overload.
When Rafael suffers a minor heart attack, it's almost
a blessing because no one expects anything of him while he's in the
hospital, and slowly he comes back to his senses. His first impulse
is to take the money and run: Sell the restaurant to a chain, go to
Mexico and start over. Since that plan leaves out all the people who
are part of his life, he then has to retract, retreat and start over
right where he is.
Meanwhile, Nino comes up with his own version of revisioning
history: He wants to marry his wife of 43 years, Norma (Norma Aleandro),
in church. Problem is that Alzheimer's is taking Norma's memory in
bits and pieces, and she may not understand the ceremony. The other
problem is the church, which doesn't perform weddings unless both
parties have made the decision to marry.
While all this is percolating, a character from the
past appears — Rafael's childhood chum, Juan Carlos (Eduardo
Blanco). As boys they played Zorro and ran away from bullies. Why
does Blanco play this character as if he were Roberto Benigni? Was
it the director's idea? The actor's? It's too much for me, and right
there the film almost folds. Likewise, when Nino rhapsodizes about
the past, especially when he beatifies Norma for her work seating
people in the restaurant, the whole project tilts toward disaster.
There are a few other close calls where sentimentality threatens to
overrun the film's otherwise naturalistic patterns. But the threat
passes, and the film returns to reality and the problems everyone
faces.
Two performances help bring the movie's occasional
inflation and ridiculous behavior back to ordinary. Once Rafael gets
his priorities straight, Ricardo Darín (Nine Queens) gives
a wonderful, warm performance. And the picture takes off anytime the
luminous Norma Aleandro is onscreen. Aleandro plays with great delicacy
and brutal honesty the presence and absence of lucidity that characterizes
Alzheimer's. I love the way she forgets her granddaughter's name,
yet touches her face lovingly and tells her how pretty she is every
time she sees her. It's as if something in Norma knows that their
connection is more important than names.
Aleandro and Héctor Alterio have been married
(in the movies) before. They played the couple at the center of Luis
Penzo's unforgettable drama, The Official Story. Set during
the Pinochet military dictatorship after the bloody coup in which
President Salvador Allende was murdered, the film won the 1985 Academy
Award for best foreign language film, and Aleandro took best actress
award at Cannes. In Son of the Bride, when Norma and Nino look
at each other, you believe that they love each other deeply.
While the picture illuminates certain indicators of
Argentina's recent economic and political crises, the film works best
as a human story of expectations, disappointments and the forgiving
power of love. Opens Friday at the Bijou. Warmly recommended.
Back to Top
OPENING
OR RETURNING:
Films open the Friday following date of EW
publication unless otherwise noted.
Bourne Identity, The: Matt Damon,
Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen and Brian Cox star in Doug
Liman's spy thriller based on Robert Ludlum's best seller. A man with
amnesia sets out to discover who he is and why everyone wants to kill
him. PG-13. Cinemark 17. Cinema World.
Cat's Meow, The: Peter Bogdanovich returns
to the screen with this classy thriller set in the 1920s and based
on a notorious death aboard William Randolph Hearst's yacht. Stars
Kirsten Dunst, Edward Herrmann and Eddie Izzard as a love triangle.
Highly recommended. PG-13. Bijou. See review this issue.
Clockstoppers: Johnathan Frakes directs this
teen movie about a boy who finds a way to stop time. Starring Jessie
Bradford, French Stewart and Paula Garces. PG. Movies 12.
Panic Room: David Fincher directs Jodie Foster,
Forrest Whitaker and Dwight Yoakam in this creepy thriller about a
woman and her child, who are stuck in a room in their own home. R.
Movies 12.
Rachel's Daughters: The Search for the Causes of
Breast Cancer: Documentary filmmakers Allie Light and Irving Saraf
made this moving documentary in 1997 after their daughter was diagnosed
with breast cancer at age 39. Title refers to Rachel Carson (Silent
Spring), who died of the disease, and also to the filmmaker's
search for environmental causes. Highly recommended. At
7 pm on 6/14 in Sacred Heart Auditorium. Free.
Scooby Doo: TV's 1969 Great Dane, Scooby, returns
as a computer-generated detective dog in this comedy starring Freddie
Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Matthew Lillard. PG. Cinema
World. Cinemark.
Scorpion King, The: Inspired by The Mummy
Returns, this thriller stars WWF's The Rock and is directed by
WWF's The Mask, aka Eraser Chuck Russell. The Rock plays a hired assassin
trying to stop the evil ruler of the city of Gomorra. Our bets are
on him. PG 13. Movies 12.
Son of the Bride, The: Ricardo Darín (Nine
Queens), Héctor Alterio and Norma Aleandro (both of The
Official Story) star in this Argentine nominee for 2001 best foreign
language film. Directed by Juan José Campanella, the film is
about mid-career crisis and the healing power of love. R. Bijou. See
review this issue.
UO Student Film and Video Festival: All projects
created by UO students: documentary, dramatic short, music video,
evergreen, hard news, advertisement, public service announcement,
animated, experimental. First prize $100. At 7 pm on 6/14 in 100 Willamette.
Free/$1 donation accepted.
Windtalkers: Nicolas Cage and Adam Beach star
in director John Woo's WWII drama about a US Marine ordered to protect
a Navajo code talker during the Battle of Saipan in the Pacific against
Japan. Also stars Noah Emmerich, Mark Ruffalo, Christian and Peter
Stormare. R. Cinema World. Cinemark.
CONTINUING
About a Boy: Nick Hornby's popular British novel
about a rich London rake (Hugh Grant) who invents an imaginary son
to meet women who are single parents. But instead he finds a troubled
boy (Nicholas Hoult), who teaches him to grow up. Directed by Chris
and Paul Weltz, it also stars Toni Collette, Rachel Weisz. Highest
recommendations. PG-13. Cinemark. Online
archives.
Bad Company: The unlikely duo of Anthony Hopkins
and Chris Rock in a spy action/comedy. Directed by Joel Schumacher,
it also stars Peter Stormare and Kerry Washington. PG-13. Cinemark.
Cinema World.
Beautiful Mind, A: Inspired by the true story
of a mathematical genius who battles mental illness, Ron Howard's
film stars Russell Crowe, Ed Harris and Jennifer Connelly. Academy
Awards for supporting actress, directing, best picture, and writing.
Highly recommended. PG-13. Movies 12. Online
archives.
Big Trouble: Barry Sonnenfeld directs Tim Allen,
Renee Russo and a host of other recognizable names in this Elmore
Leonardesque comedy based on Dave Barry's first novel. PG 13. Movies
12.
Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood: Sandra
Bullock plays a NY playwright who'd like to keep some distance from
her eccentric mother, played by Ellen Burstyn. Also stars Fionnula
Flanagan, Shirley Knight, Maggie Smith and Ashley Judd. PG-13. Cinema
World. Cinemark.
Frailty: Matthew McConaughey tells an FBI agent
he knows the God's Hand serial killer. Bill Paxton plays the fanatical
dad, who believes God's mission for him and his young sons is to destroy
demons on Earth. Paxton's directing debut is strong evidence of his
ability. Chilling and graphic but excellent. R. Movies 12. Online
archives.
I Am Sam: Sean Penn plays a mentally-challenged
single parent raising his daughter. Michelle Pfeiffer plays an attorney
who takes his case when the girl is put in foster care by social services.
Extraordinary performance by Penn, who received an Academy nod. PG-13.
Movies 12. Online
archives.
Ice Age: Chris Wedge directs the voices of
Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, and Goran Vizjnic in this
digitally animated story of prehistoric creatures trying to save a
human child. G. Movies 12.
Insomnia: Christopher Nolan (Memento)
explores sleep deprivation in this remake of a 1998 thriller from
Norway. Set in Alaska, it stars Al Pacino and Robin Williams, Hilary
Swank, Martin Donovan, Maura Tierney, Nicky Katt and Paul Dooley.
Highly recommended thriller. R. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online
archives.
Lord of the Rings, The: The Fellowship of the Ring:
The first book in J. R. R. Tolkien's literary trilogy, directed by
Peter Jackson stars Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Liv
Tyler, Sean Astin, Christopher Lee. Academy Award winner for cinematography,
makeup, and visual effects. Highest recommendations. PG-13. Movies
12. Online archives.
Monsters Inc.: From Pixar, the creators of
Toy Story, comes a new computer-animated feature about a scare
factory, Monsters Inc., and its top monster, Sulley (voice of John
Goodman). Also voices of Billy Crystal, James Coburn, Jennifer Tilly,
Steve Buscemi and Mary Gibbs. G. Movies. 12. Online archives.
Murder by Numbers: Sandra Bullock stars in
this detective thriller which pits her against two clever teens (Ryan
Gosling and Michael Pitt). Produced by Bullock herself, and directed
by Barbet Schroeder. R. Movies 12.
Spider Man: Tobey Maguire stars in Sam Raimi's
film about one of the most popular comic book superheroes to come
to the screen. Also stars Willem Dafoe as the Green Goblin, Kirsten
Dunst, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris and J.K. Simmons.
PG-13. Cinemark. Online archives.
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron: Animated
Western adventure with the voices of Matt Damon, James Cromwell and
Daniel Studi is an action picture, not a comedy. Co-directed by Kelly
Asbury and Lorna Cook. G. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones: George Lucas'
second of three Star Wars' prequels comes to the screen with
Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Ian McDiarmid
and Samuel Jackson doing all the heavy lifting. PG. Cinema World.
Cinemark.
Sum of All Fears: Ben Affleck and Morgan Freeman
are Central Intelligence agents trying to prevent terrorists from
getting weapons of mass destruction. Also stars James Crowmell, Liev
Schreiber, Alan Bates and Philip Baker Hall. Based on Tom Clancy's
bestseller. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online
archives.
Sweetest Thing, The: Looking for love on the
road, Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate star in this romantic comedy.
Thomas Jane stars as Mr. Right, directed by Roger Kumble. R. Movies
12.
Undercover Brother: Action comedy directed
by Malcolm D. Lee and written by John Ridley stars Eddie Griffin,
who adopts the garb of blaxploitation era private detectives to go
undercover. PG-13. Cinemark.
Unfaithful: From director Adrian Lyne (Fatal
Attraction) comes a film that plays on the fears of married people.
Diane Lane plays a married woman who has an affair (Oliver Martinez)
that leads her husband (Richard Gere) to become suspicious. Violence
lurks. R. Movies 12.
Y Tu Mamá También: Two teens and
an unhappily married woman in a sexy Mexican road movie that also
has a political subtext. Director Alfonso Cuarón, writer Carlos
Cuarón and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki create a fabulous
movie for stars Maribel Verdu, Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal.
Highest recommendations. NR Bijou. Online
archives.
MOVIE
THEATERS
Use the links provided below for specific show times.
Bijou
Art Cinemas
Bijou Theater 686-2458 | 492 E. 13th
Regal
Cinemas
Cinema World 342-6536 | Valley River
Center
Springfield Quad 726-9073 |
Cinemark
Theaters
Movies 12 741-1231 | Gateway
Mall
Movies before 12:30 are Sat. Sun. only. $1.50 all shows all days.
Cinemark 17 741-1231 | Gateway Mall
NEW
RELEASES ON VIDEO:
Releases subject to change. Available the Tuesday following
date of EW publication, sometimes sooner:
Air Bud 4: Buddy is back, and he plays baseball!
But his now grown puppies are disappearing. Is it Rocky the Raccoon?
Only one way to find out. G.
I Am Sam: Sean Penn plays a mentally-challenged
single parent raising his daughter. Michelle Pfeiffer plays an attorney
who takes his case when the girl is put in foster care by social services.
Extraordinary performance by Penn, who received an Academy nod. PG-13.
Online archives.
Majestic, The: Jim Carrey plays a blacklisted
Hollywood writer who loses his memory after a car crash but finds
a new life in a 1950s small town. Directed by Frank Darabont (The
Green Mile). Bob Balaban is a Commie-hunter with HUAC, Martin
Landau is the owner of the local movie theater, and Laurie Holden's
the girl. Eugene's David Ogden Stiers also stars. PG.
Max Keeble's Big Move: Seventh grader Alex
D. Linz thinks he's moving in a week so he concocts sweet revenge
against classmates, only to discover that the family's not moving
after all. Oops. Directed by Tim Hill. PG.
Orange Country: Colin Hanks and Jack Black
star in Jake Kasdan's teen comedy about a transcript mix-up. PG-13.
Rollerball: John McTiernan directs this action
thriller starring Chris Klein, LL Cool J and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos
as players that Rollerball creator (Jean Reno) puts in danger on the
court. PG-13.
Shipping News, The: Lasse Hallström directed
screen version of Annie Proulx's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel set
in Newfoundland. It stars Kevin Spacey and Julianne Moore, with Cate
Blanchett and Judi Dench. The New York Times critic said despite
Hallström's "unfailing warm-hearted humanism," Spacey is wrong
for the idiosyncratic main character, Quoyle — "far too calculated
and self-conscious for the actor to disappear into his role." Never
played Eugene. R.
Next week: The Affair of the Necklace, A Beautiful
Mind and Gosford Park.
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