Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, September 16, 1995                   TAG: 9509180008
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: B12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

'JEFFERSON' IS LIKELY TO STILL BE A FLOP ON TAPE

That is a political question that divides historians, both popular and academic, and it certainly won't be answered here. This is a video column, not a debate forum. The subject is the release on home video of ``Jefferson in Paris." So, we can forget historical accuracy (always a good idea where Hollywood is concerned). The real question remains: Is this a good movie?

The answer: No.

It's slow, long, humorless, poorly acted, over-inflated with its own self-importance and - worst of all - boring.

The film was a resounding flop in its limited theatrical release and probably won't be any more successful on tape. Of its many problems, the most obvious is the casting of Nick Nolte as Jefferson. True, he bears a slight physical resemblance to Jefferson and his performance is about as stiff, lifeless and bland as many statues of the author of the Declaration of Independence. When Nolte speaks, you sense that he's stepping up onto an imaginary pedestal.

As Sally Hemmings, African-English actress Thandie Newton, who was so memorable in John Duigan's ``Flirting," is simply appalling. She seems to have based her performance on Butterfly McQueen in ``Gone with the Wind." Her cloying I-don't-know-nothin'-about-birthin'-no-babies speech patterns bring to mind blackface humor. The rest of the cast wanders through a forest of accents - American South, French, English, Italian - picking one or more as it suits.

After a pointless introduction, the setting shifts to Paris, 1784-1789, when Jefferson was ambassador to France. Though that was one of the most eventful moments in world history, virtually nothing happens in the film. While countries are being born and teetering on the brink of revolution, Jefferson worries about his daughter's (Gwyneth Paltrow) religious beliefs and his unconsummated relationship with another diplomat's wife, Maria Cosway (Greta Scacchi).

When the film's Big Moment between Jefferson and Sally finally arrives, it's a clumsy disappointment that will probably anger partisans of both camps. He's presented as a thick-headed boor given to empty platitudes; she's an 18th-century airhead who seduces him.

In films like ``Remains of the Day" and ``Howards End," producer Ismail Merchant, director James Ivory and writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala have been successful in revealing the human beings behind cold, reserved facades of respectability. They try to do the same here, but this time their subjects elude them.

For much more enjoyable historical entertainment take a look at ``The Madness of King George" (reviewed under New Releases), or another newly arrived video original.

``Century" is a medical drama set in the England of 1900, when old rules and conventions are falling away and new ideas are being tested. Paul Reisner (Clive Owen) is the son of a Romanian Jewish immigrant (Robert Stephens). He leaves his country home to work with Professor Mandry (Charles Dance) at a new medical research institute in London. The place is viewed with undisguised skepticism by the establishment, but it has found financial backing.

Paul sets to work and is immediately attracted to Clara (Miranda Richardson), a bright young lab assistant. At first, Paul's intelligence and curiosity serve him well with Mandry. Those same qualities also lead to curious conficts and even more curious resolutions.

Writer/director Stephen Poliakoff (``Close My Eyes") has said that the film is loosely based on experiences of his grandfather. Perhaps because of that, parts of the story have the feel of truth, though that's not Poliakoff's point. He's interested in the characters, and these are believable, interesting and extremely well portrayed. They make ``Century" a genuine sleeper for fans of ``Masterpiece Theatre" historical drama.

Next week: Thrillers!

New releases:

The Madness of King George ***

Starring Nigel Hawthorne, Helen Mirren, Amanda Donohoe, Ian Holm. Written by Alan Bennett. Directed by Nicholas Hytner. Hallmark. 108 min. Not rated, contains strong language and mature subject matter.

This historical drama is everything that an Anglophile could ask for, though the accents - indecipherable early on - will put off other viewers. Beyond the costumes and the distant setting, it's a tale of pure political power. Who takes over when the leader cannot function? As George III, Nigel Hawthorne is excellent. So is Helen Mirren as his Queen. The film contains strong language and mature subject matter that make it hard to follow for kids.

Roommates **

Starring Peter Falk, D.B. Sweeney, Julianne Moore. Written by Max Apple. Directed by Peter Yates. Buena Vista (Hollywood). 107 min. Rated PG for a little rough language, medical scenes.

This slow, well intentioned drama will divide audiences. Many older viewers will see it as a moving four-hanky tearjerker. To others, it's cliched, sappy sentimentalism about the relationship between a grandfather (Falk under heavy makeup) and his grandson (Sweeney).

The Essentials:

Jefferson in Paris x Buena Vista (Touchstone). 142 min. Rated PG-13 for subject matter.

Century *** Polygram. (time not listed, about 90 min.) Rated R for subject matter, nudity, sexual content.