ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 28, 1996 TAG: 9609300121
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 12 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: MOVIE REVIEW
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
``2 Days in the Valley" attempts to mix ersatz suspense with often mean-spirited slapstick. The result is more interesting than enjoyable.
Writer-director John Herzfeld's immediate inspiration is clearly Robert Altman's "Short Cuts," though he does tip his hat to Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction," too. But he has borrowed technique, not substance.
The tongue-in-cheek plot begins with an angle borrowed from the Tonya Harding business with two hitmen (Danny Aiello and James Spader) who burst in upon an Olympic skier (Teri Hatcher) and her philandering husband (Peter Horton). At length, that act involves two unhappy cops (Jeff Daniels and Eric Stoltz).
Meanwhile, a suicidal film director (Paul Mazursky), a sympathetic nurse (Marsha Mason), her effete half-brother (Greg Cruttwell) and his mousy assistant (Glenne Headley) are being held hostage. A hard-bodied Swedish blonde (Charlize Theron) has something to do with the proceedings, but her exact role is hard to define.
That's a fair description of the rest of the film, too. Even when the action makes no sense, it's somehow engaging. Clearly, the ensemble cast understands the light spirit of the piece. Spader, Aiello and Headley are particularly good. And the whole film has a brightly lit brittleness that fits the mood Herzfeld is aiming for.
In the end, though, "2 Days in the Valley" is the kind of offbeat "little" movie that's probably going to find its most appreciative audience in the video store.
2 Days in the Valley ** 1/2
An MGM release playing at the Valley View 6. 105 min. Rated R for violence, strong language, brief nudity.
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: James Spader and Charlize Theron star in "2 Days in theby CNBValley."