Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 15, 1992 TAG: 9201140224
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Mike Mayo
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
ENSEMBLE FILMS TRANSLATE WELL TO TV
Traditional Hollywood movies are so focused on the star system that ensemble films, where the action is shared among several characters, are rare.Stories of ensemble efforts are based on fairly large, usually young, casts. They tend to be as much about a specific time, place or situation as they are about the individuals involved. The most famous recent examples are George Lucas' "American Graffiti" and Barry Levinson's "Diner," both of which launched dozens of careers.
Because these movies are told on a realistic human scale, they translate well from the big screen to the small. Here are three fine ensemble pieces: one new film that arrives as a video original, an acknowledged classic and a sleeper from the '70s.
\ "Queen's Logic" is about a wedding that may or may not take place. Ray (Ken Olin) is an artist who's having second and third thoughts about making it legal with Patricia (Chloe Webb). His irresponsible and irrepressible big brother Al (Joe Mantegna) is in serious trouble with his wife (Linda Fiorentino). Dennis (Kevin Bacon) has come back to the New York borough from Los Angeles for the event. Their pal Eliot (John Malkovich) can't quite figure out how to deal with his homosexuality. Tom Waits is also on hand as the friendly local fence, and Jamie Lee Curtis is memorable as Grace, a bizarre rich woman who shows up at the bachelor party.
Director Steve Rash keeps the potentially confusing action moving at a quick pace. The script by co-star Tony Spiridakis has a boisterous, rough-edged charm that makes up for a lot of flaws. The guys take up most of the spotlight, but the women hold their own and have just as much depth.
All of these characters are treated with a fond, flattering nostalgia. If their story seems a little too sweet at times, that's easy to forgive. In the end, "Queen's Logic" is a real treat.
By now, most viewers are familiar with the plot of "Grand Hotel." The interrelated stories of the residents of a luxurious Berlin hotel where "nothing ever happens" have been retold and adapted many times, most recently as a Broadway musical. The 1932 screen original hasn't lost anything, though. The cast could hardly be better - Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone and Jean Hersholt. But even that sheer star power can't outshine Cedric Gibbons' stylish art deco sets. No matter how many times you've seen it, "Grand Hotel" is always worth another look.
The stars of "Between the Lines" were mostly unknown when it was released theatrically in 1977. Since then, we've seen a lot of John Heard, Lindsay Crouse, Jeff Goldblum, Jill Eikenberry, Bruno Kirby, Gwen Welles, Stephen Collins, Marilu Henner and Michael J. Pollard.
They play staffers at a Boston alternative newspaper, the Back Bay Mainline. Success appears to be killing the paper. What began as "the voice of truth" now accepts credit card charges for kinky personal ads. It's become so profitable that it's about to be bought by a bigger publisher. Times have changed a lot in the newspaper business.
Though it's been years since I've seen this one, I remember the strong atmosphere and the characters' believability. Director Joan Micklin Silver showed the same deft touch a few years ago with another memorable, little movie, "Crossing Delancey." Though "Between the Lines" didn't enjoy the success of other ensemble works like Lawrence Kasdan's "The Big Chill," it's every bit as good if not better.
Kasdan, by the way, returns to the form with the remarkable "Grand Canyon" which opens in theaters this Friday.
New releases this week:
Jungle Fever: ***1/2 Stars Wesley Snipes, Annabella Sciorra. Directed by Spike Lee. MCA/Universal. Rated R for language, violence and strong sexual content; 136 minutes.
Spike Lee's look at the trouble an interracial relationship causes is a provocative and all-encompassing treatment of the angry reactions that arise when race becomes an issue. Lee eschews pat answers and convenient plotting; the result is not only an insightful look at racial tensions but the insularity of families and neighborhoods.
Point Break: **1/2 Stars Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow. FoxVideo. Rated R for sexual content, violence and language; 120 min. Surf's up, dudes! And so is the body count in this fast- aced cops and surfers movie about a bad bunch of beach bum bank robbers. Too\ bad the plot doesn't hold together.
What the ratings mean:
**** Memorable. One of the best of its kind; maybe worth owning.
*** Outstanding. An excellent video, worth searching out.
** Average. You've seen better, you've seen worse, but if it sounds interesting . . .
* Poor. This is why your VCR has a fast-forward button.
A waste of time and an insult to your intelligence. More a warning than a rating.
Note: Star ratings are not available for reviews from wire services.
THE ESSENTIALS
\ Queen's Logic *** LIVE 116 min. Rated R for strong language, subject matter.
\ Grand Hotel *** 1/2 MGM/UA 113 min. Unrated, contains no objectionable material.
\ Between the Lines *** Vestron 101 min. Rated R for brief nudity, strong language.