ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 13, 1996 TAG: 9601140005
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B-10 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: MOVIE REVIEW
SOURCE: KATHERINE REED STAFF WRITER
That elusive thing called "sexual chemistry" turns up in the most unlikely places.
Like between Sandra Bullock and Denis Leary in the new romantic comedy, "Two if by Sea."
I mean, who'da thunk it?
Leary, best known as the foul-mouthed comedian who champions the cause of smoking, doesn't exactly spring to mind when one thinks of leading-man types. But as a well-meaning, but bungling foil to Bullock's street-wise Roz, Leary demonstrates some depth barely glimpsed in "The Ref." Together, they give some much-needed energy to this cliche-ridden story.
Leary plays Frank, a thief who has just made his biggest - and final, so he says - score, the heist of a Matisse painting worth $4 million. All he and his girlfriend Roz have to do is meet the buyer, sell the painting and start their new life.
From the beginning, their simple plan seems fated to become difficult, but that's the best part. The first 30 minutes or so of the movie, in fact, are the most original and funny as Frank and Roz escape a battalion of police almost without breaking a sweat - and without missing a beat in their ongoing argument about everything from Frank's smoking to Roz's new hair color.
The writing - by Leary, Mike Armstrong and Ann Lembeck - isn't great, but Bullock and Leary overcome it until the story forces Frank and Roz to slow down. Once they settle into a vacant beach house on an affluent New England island to kill time until they sell the painting, not an original line is uttered, not one predictable plot turn occurs.
Too bad, because Bullock and Leary have some surprising stuff together. Bullock is funnier and more focused than in the dim-witted "While You Were Sleeping." And Leary has learned how to slow down his fast ball. He's a funny guy. Exhibit A: "The Ref." But he's also - I swear - a convincing good guy.
If you're absolutely out of your mind with cabin fever, brave the roads for "Two If By Sea." But it's barely worth the trip.
Want to talk back to reviewer Katherine Reed? E-mail movieyakaol.com
Two if by sea ** 1/2
A Morgan Creek release showing at Salem Valley 8 and Valley View Cinema 6. 105 min. Rated R for profanity and adult situations.
LENGTH: Short : 49 linesby CNB