THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 10, 1995 TAG: 9503100067
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E9 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Movie review
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
``MAN OF THE House'' is the latest in a series of movies churned out in a hurry by the Walt Disney studios and pushed into theaters for a quick profit. It trivializes one of the growing problems in American family life - children adjusting to stepparents.
An 11-year-old boy is allowed to cause all kind of havoc because he objects to his mother's boyfriend. Rather than making him a sympathetic and vulnerable character who needs understanding, he is a pouting little monster who is out to test the limits of his powers over the adults. More often than not, it's not very funny.
Considering the casting, one might well side with the boy. Chevy Chase is the man that Mom brings home. One of the mysteries of modern show business is just how Chase continues to get employment. Back in the ``Saturday Night Live'' days when he trashed President Gerald Ford with persistent pratfalls, he was amusing - for perhaps three minutes. His time is up.
For Chase, though, this is a comparatively restrained outing. It is not until late in the film that he is allowed to fall about, hitting himself in the head with a hammer and such. Before that, he actually tries to play the part. He's a caring, concerned, and quite successful prosecuting attorney who falls in love with Farrah Fawcett and moves into her apartment.
The lack of script development prevents any potential comedy or pathos. Neither adult has prepared the youngster, played by Jonathan Taylor Thomas, for the fact that mother will be sleeping in the same bed with the newcomer and that he will become a surrogate father. Both adults readily go along with the boy's tantrums and cruel pranks. Chase totally ignores Fawcett for most of the film. He spends ALL his time trying to win over the kid. Fawcett stays in the background, flashing that still-luminous smile.
Fawcett, some years after her ``Charlie's Angels'' poster, has aged attractively. She manages to suggest a caring mom - even if she never suggests that she's in love with Chase. It's a little sad to see her relegated to third billing. Nonetheless, it's a pleasure to see her evolve as a real human being here, and a mature one at that.
Thomas is something of a teeny-bopper idol, complete with blond hair and blue eyes. He plays one of Tim Allen's sons on the hit TV sitcom ``Home Improvement.'' He was also the voice of Young Simba in the biggest box office hit of the past year, the animated ``Lion King.'' In spite of his snitty role, there is ample indication that he's a winning lad who could be an appealing presence.
Likable support is supplied by George Wendt (``Cheers'') as a member of the Indian Guide troop that is the center of much of Chase's traumas.
``Man of the House'' is, for moments at a time, a suitable diversion, but it too often sinks into meanness of spirit. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
DISNEY
Young Jonathan Taylor Thomas just can't get along with his mom's
boyfriend, Chevy Chase, in ``Man of the House.''
Graphic
MOVIE REVIEW
``Man of the House''
Cast: Chevy Chase, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Farrah Fawcett, George
Wendt
Director: James Orr
Screenplay: James Orr and Jim Cruickshank
Music: Mark Mancina
MPAA rating: PG (single mother with a live-in boyfriend, but no
sexuality)
Mal's rating: One 1/2 stars
Locations: Chesapeake Square, Greenbrier in Chesapeake, Military
Circle, R/C Main Gate in Norfolk, Lynnhaven 8, Columbus in Virginia
Beach
by CNB