Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, December 9, 1994 TAG: 9412100012
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It works best as a story of intrigue revolving around a small group of mostly believable characters. In that regard it's so engrossing that many viewers may choose to ignore some major lapses in logic and several the loose ends left dangling and unresolved.
Tom Sanders (Michael Douglas) is an executive with a thriving Seattle computer company. All but certain that he's in line for a big promotion, he goes to work on Monday morning with heightened expectations. Sure, there are some problems with his newest project, but a big merger should be finished by the end of the week and the company's owner (Donald Sutherland) wants to talk to him.
It's not giving away too much to reveal that Tom doesn't get the job. It goes to Meredith Johnson (Demi Moore), an old girlfriend newly arrived from L.A. where they had a steamy relationship. She presents the happily married Tom with some serious temptation, particularly when she invites him up to her office for a glass of wine after work.
What happens next becomes the subject of considerable discussion and is best left undescribed. The other key characters are Susan (Caroline Goodall), Tom's wife, and Catherine Alvarez (Roma Maffia), his lawyer.
The film's strengths and weaknesses come from its source material, Michael Crichton's novel, and screenwriter Paul Attanasio's adaptation. For a suspense film, this one has very little physical action. It's mostly about people talking to each other in well-appointed rooms, and playing with their cell phones and e-mail. Director Barry Levinson (``Diner,'' ``Tin Men,'' ``Rainman'') isn't known for building and sustaining tension, and he does nothing to change that. The long and relatively pointless opening shots establish a measured rhythm that Levinson seldom hurries. The long middle section actually slows even more.
That's not as large a flaw as it might be because the characters are so well-cast and well-acted. Michael Douglas is completely comfortable with this kind of role and never makes a false step. Though she's not given as much to work with, Demi Moore creates a wonderfully icy villain audiences will love to hate. And Roma Maffia simply walks away with all of her scenes.
They're able to make the story interesting even at its slowest, and that's the real key. Throughout the film, you want to know what's going to happen next. After it's over, those questions of ``how?'' and ``why?'' may pop up, but they're not enough to spoil the fun.
For those who don't expect anything more, ``Disclosure'' is entertaining escapism aimed at an adult audience.
Disclosure ***
A Warner Bros. release playing at the Salem Valley 8 and Tangewood Mall Theatre. 127 min. Rated R for sexual material, strong language.
by CNB