Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 21, 1995 TAG: 9510230083
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Judged by the box art, the advertising copy or even a plot synopsis, ``Bulletproof Heart'' would appear to be indistinguishable from a hundred other video thrillers. But that's not the case. It's an intelligently written and effective combination of comedy and drama.
Mick (Anthony LaPaglia) is a dapper hitman who's suffering a crisis of faith. His long dark night of the soul has brought him to ask ``What is the meaning of meaning?'' Yes, the humor is intentional, but the tone shifts smoothly to more serious matters.
After botching their last assignment, Mick's bumbling assistant Archie (Matt Craven) is trying to win his position back. At the same time, George (Peter Boyle), a mid-level mobster, asks Mick for a rush job. There's a woman (Mimi Rogers) who must be removed immediately. Why? Well ... it's hard to say exactly, but this is going to be easy. She's expecting him. She wants to die.
What?
The telling of this curious story is deliberate. Director Mark Malone paces it like a stage play, stretching out two-character scenes and emphasizing dialogue over action. It's a talky film, much like ``Pulp Fiction'' in that department. It's also unpredictable and suspenseful all the way to an offbeat conclusion that doesn't attempt to answer every question. ``Bulletproof Heart'' is well-acted, handsomely produced and enjoyable. Recommended to those in the mood for a mystery with a psychological bent.
``To the Limit'' is one of those purposefully bad action flicks made watchable through liberal use of the fast-forward button. The only attraction is Playboy and Guess? Jeans model Anna Nicole Smith as a buxom CIA hitwoman being chased by spies, rogue Vietnam vets and the Mafia. The film appears either to have been made on the fly or rushed into release to capitalize on the tabloid goddess's recent and well-publicized widowhood from an aging Texas millionaire.
``The Android Affair'' is run-of-the-mill science fiction based on an Isaac Asimov short story. The sketchy premise involves bio-mechanical androids that take the place of humans in medical experimentation.
Dr. Garrett (Harley Jane Kozack) is a young heart surgeon who's going to practice a tricky procedure on William 905 (Griffin Dunne) before she tries it on a human. William is a technically sophisticated prototype who demands a ``one-day pass'' away from the institute where he ``lives,'' though they both know that the boss, Winston (Ossie Davis), wouldn't agree. Off they go.
Midway through, hitfolk appear and the initial concept is abandoned in favor of a pedestrian chase story. Little more is done with questions about definitions of humanity.
Writer/director Richard Kletter made this one from a student project. The characters and acting are better than the effects, and the film never generates any real tension or suspense.
``The Force'' combines a conventional L.A. cop yarn with a loopy New Age twist. When veteran detective Des Flynn (Gary Hudson) is assassinated by sinister forces, his spirit relocates in the body of rookie patrolman Cal Carner (Jason Gedrick). After some psychic sorting out, the two personalities form a ``partnership" to find the killer. They get help from Cal's partner Erin (Cyndi Pass) and Des's widow Sara (Kim Delaney) who are more than a little skeptical about this two-mind/one-body thing.
Overall, director Mark Rosman and an attractive cast do acceptable work with thin material.
Next week: Halloween horrors for young, old and otherwise!
New Releases this week:
The Cure ***
Starring Brad Renfro, Joey Mazzello, Annabella Sciorra, Diana Scarwid. Directed by Peter Horton. MCA/Universal. 97 min. Rated PG-13 for subject matter, strong language, some violence.
Though it's as emotionally moving as anything that's been made recently, this movie doesn't sugarcoat its subject - a child dying of AIDS - and hardly qualifies as a good time. That said, it's the kind of film Hollywood ought to make for kids (and for adults) but almost never does. Young Brad Renfro ("The Client") and Joseph Mazzello ("Jurassic Park," "The River Wild") are remarkably good.
Exotica ***
Starring Mia Kirschner, Bruce Greenwood. Written and directed by Adam Egoyan. Buena Vista/Miramax. 100 min. Rated R for nudity, subject matter, strong language.
Despite its title and racy ad campaign, this is not an exploitation flick. It's a meditation on loss and loneliness, with Leonard Cohen's haunted "Everybody Knows" as its musical theme. It's also a psychological mystery about a stripper, a tax auditor, a DJ and a pet store owner. Interesting - and surprising - all the way through.
Jury Duty *
Starring Pauly Shore, Tia Carerre. Directed by John Fortenberry. Columbia TriStar. 86 min. Rated PG-13 for sexual humor, strong language.
This flat, dispirited Pauly Shore vehicle does nothing to further his sputtering film career. He plays a juror who prolongs an open-and-shut case so he can enjoy the luxuries of sequestration. Complete with the obligatory O.J. jokes.
The Essentials:
Bulletproof Heart *** Republic. 96 min. Rated R for strong language, some violence, sexual material, brief nudity.
To the Limit ** PM Entertainment. 96 min. Rated R for violence, sexual material, nudity, strong language.
The Android Affair ** MCA/Universal. 90 min. Rated PG-13 for subject matter, violence, some rough language.
The Force ** Republic. 94 min. Rated R for violence, strong language, fleeting nudity.
by CNB