
DATE: Saturday, November 15, 1997           TAG: 9711140045

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E5   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Movie Review 

SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, MOVIE CRITIC 

                                            LENGTH:   46 lines

STRONG CHARACTERS GIVE MOVIE BELIEVABILITY

"CAREER GIRLS'' is that rare character-driven film that truly gets under the skin of its characters. It is even more rare that such a film concerns women. In the midst of the dozens upon dozens of male buddy flicks, there is ``Thelma and Louise'' and ``Waiting to Exhale'' and, well, what else?

``Career Girls'' is more personal than either ``Thelma'' or ``Exhale,'' and a good deal more believable.

It is the first film from director Mike Leigh since ``Secrets and Lies,'' which was last year's surprise Oscar nominee in so many categories.

Here, the tone is even more British. Indeed, you will need to attune yourself to the accents, but no matter. If you only ascertain a fragment of the chatter, you'll get a clear picture of two vulnerable women who are much in need.

Lynda Steadman is the more vulnerable of the two as the whispery-voiced Annie. In a flashback, she is a pathetic soul with a bad skin condition.

Katrin Cartlidge is Hannah, the more aggressive, sharp-tongued and witty one. Or so it seems. She's outgoing but sometimes cruel to her friend.

Men and careers, of course, are the usual problems but don't expect the usual in this free-wheeling comedy. Ricky, their overweight male friend, is a recurring character - quite poignant.

Flashbacks reveal many clues, but this is not a ``plot'' as usual.

``Career Girls'' is talky and surely not for everyone. For those who wish to invest close attention, though, it yields two very believable and compelling characters. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

JOSS BARRATT

Katrin Cartlidge, left, and Lynda Steadman star in ``Career Girls.''

Graphic

MOVIE REVIEW

``Career Girls''

Cast: Lynn Steadman, Katrin Cartlidge

Director: Mike Leigh

MPAA rating: R (language, nudity)

Mal's rating: 2 1/2 stars

Location: Naro in Norfolk