THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 1, 1995 TAG: 9506010056
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Movie Review
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
DID THEY HAVE to take the ``mad'' in the title of ``Mad Love'' so literally?
Drew Barrymore plays what is often, in the movies, called a ``free spirit.'' She hooks up with nice boy Chris O'Donnell and they run off across the Southwest while songs by groups like Nirvana, Luscious Jackson and Cracker thunder in the background. (You'll even hear a bit of Mozart, which signals that this movie has more serious pretensions in mind).
Barrymore, still trying to prove that she is a sexpot who will erase our memories of her adorable image as Gertie in ``E.T.,'' is a likably goofy temptress. She is obviously available for all the quirky, mannered ingenue roles not taken by Juliette Lewis.
O'Donnell, looking older with short-cropped hair, is the responsible one who must look after things now that mom has deserted the family and dad is struggling to pay the bills. He cares for his younger twin siblings but he also eyes Barrymore.
She over-acts. He reacts.
She pulls the fire alarm while he's trying to take his SATs. He is not amused, but he runs off with her anyway when she tries to commit suicide and is committed to an asylum.
They steal a car, wreck it, and then maul a driver after he responds to her Lolita-style come-ons.
The two don't rob banks but they could compare misdeamenors, if not felonies, with Bonnie and Clyde - or at least Thelma and Louise.
Joan Allen is actually touching as Barrymore's mom - the only one who seems to have a sense of reality about the entire situation.
This is directed by Antonia Bird, who stirred up some controversy with her recent film ``Priest,'' made for British television and released here in theaters. Here, she seems more concerned with merely selling tickets - and getting off with as little embarrassment as possible.
Before we reach the end of the road, it becomes clear that maybe not everything was over-acting. Maybe the girl actually does need psychiatric aid. With a throwback to ``Splendor in the Grass,'' the boy realizes that the situation is beyond him.
Mad indeed. ILLUSTRATION: Drew Barrymore and Chris O'Donnell take to the road in ``Mad
Love.''
MOVIE REVIEW
``Mad Love''
Cast: Drew Barrymore, Chris O'Donnell, Joan Allen
Director: Antonia Bird
Screenplay: Paula Milne
MPAA rating: PG-13 (discreet nudity, mature themes, language)
Mal's rating: **
Locations: Cinemark, Chesapeake; Circle 6 and Main Gate, Norfolk;
Kemps River, Lynnhaven 8, Regal Cinemas Pembroke, Virginia Beach;
Patrick Henry 7, Newmarket Mall, Newport News.
by CNB