THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 8, 1995 TAG: 9502080717
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E7 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Movie Review
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
HAVE THE MOVIES learned to talk again?
``Vanya on 42nd Street,'' along with the upcoming ``Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle'' and ``The Madness of King George,'' are blessed with remarkably literate, smart, intelligent talk - the almost-forgotten art.
``Vanya'' is perhaps the most remarkable of these films; it is seemingly the least commercial and most formidable of the lot. It is set on a bare, rundown New York stage with actors in modern clothes running through a supposed rehearsal of Anton Chekhov's play ``Uncle Vanya.'' The idea is initially off-putting if for no other reason than that Chekhov has always played better on stage than on screen. His emotions are broad, stark ones that are designed to play up to the balcony, not to a camera.
Those who resist ``Vanya on 42nd Street'' will find it difficult to resist once it begins rolling. Here is a remarkably honest and dedicated ensemble cast who brings all the big, soaring emotions of Chekhov, as translated by David Mamet, down to earth and right into our faces. To hear Chekhov whispered is a rare thing indeed.
It is inevitable that ``Vanya on 42nd Street'' will be compared to ``My Dinner With Andre,'' perhaps the most famous talkathon in movie history. After all, the two films have the same director (Louis Malle) and two of the actors (Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn). ``Andre,'' though, was an original and seemingly spontaneous soul searching, filmed in an abandoned hotel in Richmond. ``Vanya'' has the disadvantage of being pre-planned, pre-packaged and stylized - a case of re-creation rather than creation.
No matter. These actors, especially the beautiful Julianne Moore (from ``Short Cuts''), are mesmerizing in their ability to interpret and explore Chekhov.
Shawn is not the right actor to play Uncle Vanya. His face and bearing is more suggestive of mischievous humor than miserable suffering. Brooke Smith is brilliant as Sonya, a girl-woman who thinks herself ugly and ultimately unworthy of love. Larry Pine is fine as Dr. Astrov, the man who causes so much passion trouble.
In fact, the actors are so letter perfect that it is impossible to accept that this is some type of workshop production, or rehearsal. I expected to learn more about the creative process from this film. I thought it would be a little like going backstage and attending a rehearsal. Instead, we get the finished product - maybe a little too polished.
``Vanya on 42nd Street'' is not for the restless. There are laughs, perhaps of derision, when one character yells ``Don't leave him alone with me. He'll talk me to death.'' Still, in a movie world ruled by car crashes and special effects, it is refreshing to hear the words of Chekhov, even translated by David Mamet, spoken by such actors. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
SONY PICTURES CLASSICS
Vanya (played by Wallace Shawn) at the table with Dr. Astrov (Larry
Pine) speaking to Sonya (Brooke Smith).
Graphic
MOVIE REVIEW
``Vanya on 42nd Street''
Cast: Andre Gregory, Wallace Shawn, Julianne Moore, Brooke
Smith, Larry Pine, George Gaynes
Director: Louis Malle
Screenplay: David Mamet's adaptation of Anton Chekhov's play
MPAA rating: PG (adult and oh-so tasteful)
Mal's rating: Three stars
Locations: Naro theater in Norfolk
by CNB