Category: 1990s

Kiss the Sky (1998)

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NOTE: This film is intended for mature audiences (MPAA rating: R – Restricted for audiences under the age of 17). 

I learned about this little-known film (on Amazon) when I was searching for William Petersen’s DVDs.  He’s best known for his work on the CBS hit drama, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.  I saw him first in Young Guns II.  Petersen starred in Manhunter (1986); in To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), he worked with noted director Michael Mann.  Why didn’t he become a big star back then?  He turned down lead roles in Platoon, Goodfellas, and Heat so that he could be near his kids.

Jeff (William Petersen) and Marty (Gary Cole) Jeff (William Petersen) and Marty (Gary Cole)

Jeff, an architect (Petersen) and Marty (Gary Cole), a lawyer, are lifelong friends from L.A.  They’re both going through a mid-life crisis, feeling discontent w/ their careers (though very lucrative) and marriages.  Both also have children.  “The American Dream” has left them feeling empty.  Jeff was in an institution a while back, but is now worried for Marty’s sanity.  Marty, who studied Eastern Philosophy as an undergrad, is taking anti-depressants.  Jeff decides that they should have an adventure (like in their 20s).  He convinces Marty’s wife, Beth, to let him go.

The two men head to the city of Manila in the Philippines, then eventually to a stunning secluded island.  They meet a young Australian woman, Andy (Sheryl Lee), and a Dutchman living as a Buddhist monk, Kosen (Terence Stamp).  But even in “paradise,” they can’t escape themselves or their problems! 

Don’t read more, unless you want to know more details from, and analysis of, this film.  Comments in blue come from IMDB users. 

In the opium den In the opium den

In Manila, the men check out a manufacturing plant.  Then they party- indulging in wine, women, and… opium (whoa!)  While lying in the opium den, they hear about a very special island from an older Filipino man.  Notice how the director had them keep their heads very close together?  (Someone commented that this film is an early “bromance.”)  The two pals function more like brothers.  Jeff is charming, confident, and a fast-talker.  (His wife, Frannie, knows he’s a player.  He flirts openly with women.)  Marty is a straight-arrow; he never cheated on his wife in 20+ years.

The seduction conversation between Sheryl Lee and William Petersen has some of the best dialogue I’ve ever heard.

When Ilsa and Andy arrive at the resort, the men notice Ilsa first.  (After all, she’s Swedish and wearing a skimpy dress.)  At dinner, it’s obvious that Jeff is intrigued more by Andy.  She’s intelligent (went to Oxford and works in publishing in London), attractive (but not in a cheap/obvious fashion), and gives off that mysterious vibe.  He follows her to the night markets and they have a very interesting conversation.  Poor Marty is stuck with Ilsa, who complains all night long.

Jeff purposely guarded against falling too deeply for Andy.  He wanted to leave after their first night together because he saw in her the type of woman he could fall for.  The thing that attracted her to Jeff was his ability to detach himself.  She could see decency in him, but another part of him proved to be a challenge to her.  He tapped into that part of a woman that wants the unattainable. 

After Jeff leaves, Andy gets to know more about Marty.  He’s a good listener, unlike his buddy.  Jeff gives snappy retorts instead.  When Jeff returns, he’s surprised (and a bit angered) to know that they got together.  Then, he thinks up a solution- they can both share Andy!  She agrees to this unique arrangement, seeing it as another adventure.  The threesome frolic on the beach and swim in the gorgeous blue ocean.  Eventually, they are joined by one of her old loves, Kosen, who has been living 30 years as a Buddhist monk.  He’s composed, wise, yet humble.

This film showed how women gravitate towards Alpha males like Jeff, while though she had affection for Marty, she wasn’t drawn to him the same way…  it really rang true to me regarding relationships between men and women, expectations, how we communicate (or don’t communicate).

Jeff smiles on the beach Jeff smiles on the beach

Jeff gets an idea to build a type of getaway on the island- a haven where people can just be themselves.  They decide to cut ties with their families; Marty provides the cash ($200,000).  The local people think this is a crazy idea, but they work on it for one month.  Frannie (Patricia Charbonneau) air mails an order of separation to Jeff.  He’s quite affected to see the letters and photos of his two daughters.

Andy gets very hurt/angry after Jeff has a one-night stand with a Filipino photographer.  In the pivotal scene, Andy and Jeff have a huge falling out.  By this point, we know that Marty has fallen in love with Andy.  But she’s in love with Jeff!  Andy didn’t want to get so deeply involved, she admits in tears.  She goes back to London. 

We have to wonder: Did Jeff truly love Andy?  Andy is only 29 and has much more of life to live; she’s not in the same situation as these middle-aged men (w/ a lot of baggage).  Neither of them would’ve been right for her, anyway.

The monsoons come early- everything comes crashing down!  Jeff, who’s been living at the construction site, is devastated.  Then, he makes a decision that will surprise the audience.

Jeff hugs Marty goodbye Jeff hugs Marty goodbye

The character of Jeff, who never finishes anything, always full of doubts, is very human.

I was surprised to see that Marty was the one who went with Kosen to the monastery.  He walked away from his family, just as Buddha did as a young prince.  Cole proved that he’s not just a one-note actor, like in some of his other films.  Jeff chose to go back to his family, but the last scene showed that he was always going to be conflicted about wanting something different.  Jeff was a multi-faceted character, not a clichéd jerk.  Petersen’s acting is subtle, but it draws the viewer in!

Some Quick Film Reviews

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The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)

Well, you really CAN’T go wrong w/ such a stellar cast!  (Dev Patel, just 21 y.o., said how BIG of an honor it was to work w/ all these legends, in a recent NPR interview.)   My fave characters were portrayed by Judy Dench, Bill Nighy (he surprised me w/ his skill), & Tom Wilkinson.  Some viewers commented that Patel’s acting was very one-note (& I mostly agree w/ that).  Perhaps he got bogged down in the Indian accent (he’s a British desi, after all); perhaps he just needs to learn more.  The complete change of heart from Maggie Smith’s characters didn’t ring QUITE true IMO.  There are some GREAT life lessons in this film, BUT it’s NOT schmaltzy or stereotypical. 

Empire Falls (2005)

Fans of Paul Newman will be surprised by his (antihero) role in this HBO miniseries!  There are some  fine performances, esp. from Ed Harris, Aidan Quinn, Robin Wright Penn, & a young Danielle Panabaker.  I thought it started out quite strong, BUT there is something disjointed about it.  It’s set around two VERY different families in a working-class town of Maine. 

L.A. Confidential (1997)

Three reasons to see this film (in order): 1) Russell Crowe 2) Kevin Spacey 3) Guy Pearce.  I’m pretty sure this film was a star-making turn for Crowe.  Also, this is one of the BEST edited films I recall seeing.  I was surprised that Kim Basinger was so capable- she didn’t annoy me in this film!   I think you need to see it twice to appreciate it- I don’t think I paid attention the first time.

The Horseman on the Roof (1995)

This historical French film is GORGEOUS (& not just b/c of the two leads)!  There’s a LOT of natural beauty- greenery, mountains, snow, etc.  Olivier Martinez, who you may recall from Unfaithful,  portrays a true “romantic” (a individual of high ideals).  Juliette Binoche is perfect (as usual), though there is NOT much dialogue.   Plus, you have to give props to a woman who’s not afraid to act w/ a man prettier than her- LOL!   La Binoche never disappoints.

Two Films Starring Timothy Hutton

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Did you know that Timothy Hutton’s father was also an actor?  Jim Hutton was a contract player in Hollywood for many years; he got into acting while serving in the army.  He was said to have been similar to Jimmy Stewart- very tall, lanky, and a bit absent-minded in his delivery.  Unfortunately, Jim Hutton died young, before his son (at 18 y.o.) won Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Ordinary People, a touching domestic drama directed by Robert Redford.  In that film, Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland played Tim’s parents- WOW!

Despite his “boy next door” type of looks, there is something mysterious about Timothy Hutton.  He’s the type of actor you see pausing and thinking about a scene.  But, that’s not a problem, b/c he’s VERY good at becoming a character.  I like the fact that Hutton gets intelligent, sometimes very understated, roles.

Beautiful Girls (1996)

The main character, a piano player living in NYC, Willie (Hutton), goes to his working-class hometown (Knight’s Ridge) to visit his dad, little brother (David Arquette), and friends.  Their high school reunion is coming up, too.

One friend, Mo (Noah Emmerich), is a factory manager who’s settled w/ a wife and 2 rambunctious young kids.  He admires Willie for following his dreams.  Tommy (Matt Dillon), a star athlete in his high school days,  has a snow plowing business and a girlfriend named Sharon (Mira Sorvino).  But he has an on-again, off-again relationship w/ his high school sweetheart, Darian (Lauren Holly), who’s married to a wealthy man and mother to a toddler.  Paul (Michael Rapaport) is another snow plower who recently broke up w/ his long-term girlfriend, Jan (Martha Plimpton), a waitress who wants to settle down.  Paul is immature; he’s still crazy about supermodels (posters are all over his bedroom).

Willie, who’s deciding whether he should take his own relationship to the next level, meets his father’s neighbor, Marty (Natalie Portman), a 13 y.o. “old soul.”  They have some interesting conversations; she reminds him of less complicated times (childhood, innocence).

Willie, and all his pals, are intrigued by a glamorous visitor to town, Andera (Uma Thurman), the cousin of local bartender, Stinky. She’s the personification of their dream girl, so they all try to impress her how they can.  Andera is spoken for back in Chicago and Willie has a girlfriend, a lawyer named Tracy (Annabeth Gish).

This film is quite good (have seen it 3x over the years); the dialogue is (mostly) true to life.  It’s VERY well cast, too.  You get to know something about each of these young people who are in transition.  (If you enjoyeded Diner, Barry Levinson’s 1982 film, you’ll like Beautiful Girls.)  Though the title refers to women, it’s mainly a story of male frienship and romantic issues (self-doubt, fear of commitment, etc.)  Rosie O’Donnell has a REALLY clever/humorous scene inside a drugstore.

The Substance of Fire (1996)

As a young boy living in Europe, Isaac Geldhart (Ron Rifkin), hides in an attic filled w/ books to evade the Nazis.  From his window, he sees crowds burning books written by Jews.  As an adult, Isaac is a respected publisher of finely-made/serious books in NYC, though the business (Kepler Geldhart) is losing money.  His wife died a few years ago, and he’s still taking it VERY hard, though he hides it (w/ his charm, intelligence, etc.)  His eldest son, Aaron (Tony Goldwyn, giving an understated performance), handles the financial affairs of the family business.  Another son, Martin (Hutton), is a landscape designer/college lecturer living in the Hudson Valley.  The youngest child, Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), is an actress on a local children’s TV show.

Aaron, who’s out as a gay man, wants to publish a novel written by his boyfriend, Val (Gil Bellows).  Isaac insists that his company will NEVER publish trash like that.  Aaron decides to take control (w/ the help of his siblings, who are also shareholders).  It’s a tough decision for the kids.  Isaac, whose behavior becomes domineering and irrational, is enraged; he even asks for his surname to be removed from Aaron’s company!  Isaac opens his own firm and cuts himself off from his children for many months.  With the help of his long-time secretary, the kids get into the house (a historic townhouse), which has become a total mess.  They realize that something could be seriously wrong w/ their father.

I saw this film last week on Netflix; it caught my eye b/c of its cast.  It has some strong acting, esp. from Rifkin and Hutton, BUT just tried to do a BIT too much (w/ not enough time).  I wanted to know some more backstory and character motivation (esp. when it came to the BIG sacrifice Martin made).   The premise is quite unusual/interesting; the (realistic) issues addressed are VERY emotionally-charged.

Views for Your New Year

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Bramwell (Series 2)

There are MANY surprises and fresh guest stars in the 2nd series of this smart, gritty show starring Jemma Redgrave as Dr. Eleanor Bramwell.  Well-born lady doc Eleanor, while struggling to keep her “baby”–The Thrift (a charity hospital in London) going–is still at odds w/ her protective dad and fellow doc, Robert (David Calder).  Romance comes into Eleanor’s life (FINALLY!!!) in the form of handsome, charming Dr. Finn O’Neill.  The Irish researcher may be her equal in brains and talent.  But love is NOT easy for this pair, thanks to their conflicting natures and ambitions.  And, of course, Robert is NOT happy of his “little girl’s” choice.

 

The House of Mirth (2000)

No, this film isn’t about Brits; the characters are American (as seen through the eyes of novelist Edith Wharton and screenwriter/director Terence Davies) from the turn of the 20th century.  If you liked The Age of Innocence, you’ll definitely find this film (w/ a much lower budget) quite absorbing!  Canadian Gillian Anderson (Bleak House) lifts this movie onto her narrow shoulders and carries you away into the life of beautiful, charming, yet cash-poor, Lily Bart.  Like many singletons before and after her, New York debutante Lily likes nice clothes, having fun (vacations, theater, fine food, etc.) and hopes to marry someday.  But she MUST marry a rich man to maintain her lifestyle!

At the start of the film, Lily has an ambiguous relationship w/ a bachelor of her circle, lawyer Lawrence Seldon (Eric Stoltz).  They speak their minds to each other, but never directly confess their feelings.  One day, a maid sees her coming out of Seldon’s apartment- a VERY scandalous thing at that time.  A married friend, Gus Trenor (Dan Ackroyd), says he’ll help Lily invest her small income in the stock market, but he has more than that in his (creepy) mind.  Then one of Lily’s close friends, the worldly Bertha Dorset (Laura Linney in a wickedly fine role), turns against her.

Lily tries to stay true to herself and her personal morals.  She can’t force herself to marry for money alone.  Lily is not “world smart,” as my mom says; she thinks that people are pretty much what they portray themselves to be.  The director uses a lot of mirrors, keeping w/ the theme of appearance.  It was interesting to see Oz star Terry Kinney portray a cuckolded hubby.  Also, pay attention to the performance of Australian Anthony LaPaglia; it’s low-key, yet very effective.  The soundtrack, compiled by Adrian Johnston (Becoming Jane) sets just the right mood.

 

Miss Julie (1999)

   

Statuesque Brit Saffron Burrows (a former model; Nan in Circle of Friends) and her (shorter) co-star, Scotsman Peter Mullan (The Claim) are captivating in Mike Figgis’ film version of August Strindberg’s play.  Irish actress Maria Doyle Kennedy (one of he main reasons to see the first season of The Tudors) makes a fine contribution as well.  On Midsummer’s Eve in the late 1800s, the servants at a Swedish country estate are cutting loose w/ drinking, joking, and dancing.  The mistress of the manor, Miss Julie (Burrows), joins them in their revelry rather than going w/ her father, The Duke, to visit relatives.  This doesn’t sit well with the footman, Jean (Mullan) and his intended, the head cook Christine (Doyle Kennedy).

Miss Julie gets tipsy and keeps asking to dance w/ Jean, to his embarrassment and annoyance.  She comes into the kitchen and angrily asks why he’s still wearing his “livery” (uniform) when it’s time to cut loose.  Appearance is VERY important to Jean; he takes GREAT pride in his work for The Duke.  He’s well-spoken, has seen some of the world, and doesn’t take stuff from just anyone. 

Eventually, Christine goes upstairs to sleep, leaving the main players together.  Jean and Miss Julie basically go at it- a power struggle between genders and classes ensues.  There is also the latent physical attraction between them.  Clearly, Miss Julie is an angry, depressed young woman.  We learn that her fiance recently broke up w/ her.  She longs for change- to be free from her “cage;” a little bird sits in an actual cage in a corner of the sparse kitchen set.  In one crucial scene, Jean exclaims that HE could take her away!  Though he is of a low class, he could (in time) make her a duchess; she could never make him a duke (being a powerless woman w/o her father’s status/protection).        

More about the play:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Julie

Passion Fish (1992)

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John Sayles’ movies are just a treat for an intelligent viewer- thoughtful, multi-dimensional, and well-developed (you go through a journey with the characters).  The respected (yet not widely-known) writer/director doesn’t do any tricks with the camera, choosing instead to let the focus be on his characters.  In Passion Fish, Sayles (a masculine feminist, in my opinion) unfolds the story of two very complicated, stubborn women.  You need to be patient when you watch this type of picture, as things unfold in at a slower pace than in typical modern Hollywood movies.

Mary-Alice Culhane (Mary McDonnell) is a soap opera actress living in NYC when a freak accident results in her paralysis from the waist down.  She decides to move back to her old childhood home in the Louisiana bayou, drink heavily (wine is her favorite), watch TV, and torment several female caregivers who come to work for her.  They quickly leave the job, of course.   Mostly, Mary-Alice wallows in self-pity, feeling that her life is over.

Finally, a determined young African-American nurse from Chicago, Chantelle (Alfre Woodard), comes to work for the diva.  We learn eventually that she desperately needs this job, as well as a place to live.

Don’t worry, this film has a few men, too.  When Mary-Alice’s old car breaks down, Chantelle meets (and gets hit on) by a charming, fun-loving cowboy nicknamed Sugar (Vondie Curtis- Hall).  At the gas station, she meets another local, quiet and handy Rennie (David Strathairn).  It turns out that he and Mary-Alice knew each other since childhood.  Rennie offers to come work on the old Culhane house, so she can get around with the wheelchair.

Watch for a few other characters (and surprises they bring).  Angela Bassett has a few nice scenes as Mary-Alice’s best friend and former co-star.