P547ORACLE 547 Mon 3 Feb C4 1701:55
1/4
by Alan Frank
ALAMO BAY (15)
Ed Harris, Amy Madigan
Director Louis Malle and writer Alice
Arlen clearly have their hearts in the
right place with a powerful indictment
of racial intolerance, focussed on the
violent opposition of locals, led by
HARRIS, to Vietnamese immigrants trying
to make new lives for themselves as
shrimp fishermen in a small Texas town.
Unfortunately, good intentions and good
performances from Harris and Madigan as
the woman who loves him, aren't enough.
The film is curiously old fashioned and
- while well made - it's not involving.
more follows
BSVs Index - 540 Gig Guide - 548
P547ORACLE 547 Mon 3 Feb C4 1718:08
2/4
by Alan Frank
LE COP (18)
Philippe Noiret, Thierry Lhermitte
Noiret is quite superb in this bitingly
funny, blackly amoral comedy, cast as a
Paris policeman who supports himself by
taking bribes from all and sundry, and
Lhermitte makes a fine foil playing his
straight-laced new partner whom Noiret
soon seduces into a life of corruption.
Outrageous, filled with mordant wit and
hugely entertaining, director Claude
Zidi's movie even manages the difficult
task of making you like Noiret, despite
the fact that his character hasn't one
redeeming feature. Don't miss this one.
more follows >
BSVs Index - 540 Gig Guide - 548
P547ORACLE 547 Mon 3 Feb C4 1715:17
3/4
by Alan Frank
REVOLUTION (PG)
Al Pacino, Nastassia Kinski
After British Film Year comes a British
Film Fiasco, Hugh Hudson's £19 million
disaster which tries - and fails - to
tell the story of the Anerican War of
Independence through the experiences of
Pacino and his young son as they join
the fight against the British in 1776.
Badly written and directed, appallingly
acted, with Pacino mumbling, Kinski in
need of drama lessons, a variety of dud
accents from Donald Sutherland and Joan
Plowright performing like a panto dame.
Totally tedious. A genuine anaesthetic.
more follows >
BSVs Index - 540 Gig Guide - 548
P547ORACLE 547 Mon 3 Feb C4 1712:40
4/4
SWEET DREAMS (PG) by Alan Frank
Jessica Lange, Ed Harris
This could have been just another
showbusiness biopic, depicting as it
does, the career of Country and Westeen
star Patsy Cline and her stormy
marriage - but a fine script, sensitive
direction and superb central
performances make it a thoroughly
enjoyable, absorbing film.
High praise is due to Jessica Lange as
the singer and Harris as her uncouth,
redneck husband. They couldn't be any
better. Nor could Karel Reisz's strong
direction: he gives his movie genuine,
emotional power and an immense appeal.
more follows
BSVs Index - 540 Gig Guide - 548