SIN Entertainment
'French Twist'
'Unforgettable'
Lolis jumps back and forth, three
days in Laurent's bed, three days
o the casual film goer, in Marijo's, resting on Sundays.
French cinema is typically When this situation proves to be
perceived as being either unworkable, Marijo agrees to
artsy or sexy, with the art leave the family forever if Laurent
films relying on heavy symbolism will agree to father a child for her,
or surrealism, and the sex films the old-fashioned way.
On its surface, French Twist is
resting on romantic entangle-
ments and farce. French Twist a whimsical tale about the lengths
one will go to capture the object of
falls in the latter category.
In French. Twist, the three main one's fancy. The simple message
characters, a man and two is that people in love do some pret-
women, are involved in an intense ty foolish things. To look deeper,
however, the film examines the
love triangle. Ho hum?
issues of power and control
Seen it before? Well,
in relationships. Sometimes
here's the twist. The ri-
MOVIES
overwhelming desire is a
valry is between the
weakness: sometime's it's a
man and one of the women
for the affections of the third strength. But looking beyond the
woman. This scenario can best be overt messages, French Twist
diagrammed as follows: Laurent, seems to be probing the differences
a philandering businessman, is between how men and women
married to Lolis, a loving mother love themselves and each other.
Heterosexuality and homosex-
and unsuspecting wife. Laurent
gives at the office so frequently, he uality are pitted against each oth-
has little remaining when he er and explored, not on a moral
comes home, leaving Lolis frus- level, but more on a practical lev-
trated and lonely. Car problems el. Which lifestyle is one best suit-
bring the husky, masculine Mar- ed for? What compromises will be
ijo to the couple's doorstep, and Lo- required? Though it may sound
lls is thrilled with the opportunity deep, this movie merely skims the
of having someone's undivided at- issues, but draws few conclusions.
In the end, French Twist is a
tention.
Marijo quickly shows that she movie about family, but it is not a
is interested in more than just con- family movie. It is for open-mind-
ed adults who want to see them-
versation and seduces Lolis.
Things take a turn for the absurd selves in a mirror; even if it's a
when Marijo moves in, forcing funhouse mirror.
Laurent to negotiate a schedule
ck.) 1/2
for intimacy with his wife — a
—Richard Halprin
time-share arrangement of sorts.
bears a tragic history. His wife is transfusions, always with Brig-
dead, and, despite his acquittal gs looking on helplessly as Krane
Hollywood success story: on a technicality, he remains the relives various violent murders.
Mentally plummeting back and
A talented young actress only suspect in her murder.
Neurobiologist Dr. Martha forth in time, he painfully stum-
(Linda Fiorentino) and an
ambitious producer (John Briggs (Fiorentino), on the other bles his way toward the elusive
Dahl) collaborate to create a loW- hand, is a bookish genius. She truth, which, as in all respectable
budget, instant cult classic (The has discovered that cerebral mysteries, comes as a surprise.
Liotta (of Goodfellas
Last Seduction) that promotes spinal fluid contains memo-
fame) is good at play-
each from "nobody" to "some- ry traces of the person from
M OVIES
ing tormented yet
whom it came. When Krane
body" status.
rarely emotional souls.
Sticking with what works, the hears her speak at a formal
two have returned to the silver dinner, he is the only listener Appearing tired and desperate
screen together once again, this who takes interest. He realizes throughout, he fits the bill. Un-
time with a higher budget and a that if he can inject himself with fortunately, the character of Brig-
his wife's spinal fluid and expe- gs does not enable Fiorentino to
well-known cast.
display her full ability;
The film: Unforget-
she's much more fun to
table, a murder mys-
watch as a murderous,
tery/sci-fi thriller that
witty gold digger from
features nearly as
Hell (a la Seduction).
much blood as a
The role, however, does
Tarantino/Rodriguez
allow her to show off
flick. In fact, if you en-
her impressive, ex-
joy violence and don't
pressive eyes, which
mind stretching your
rank among the best in
imagination for enter-
the business.
tainment's sake, this
Also appearing are
might be the film for
actors David Paymer,
you.
as the assistant med-
The story begins
ical examiner, and
with a bloody drug- A forensic pathologist (Ray Liotta) seeks the help of a memory
Peter Coyote and
store massacre. Sever- researcher (Linda Fiorentino) to relive the events of the night his
Christopher McDonald
al people lie dead, and wife was murdered.
as detectives.
Seattle medical exam-
If mysteries are your thing,
iner David Krane (Ray Liotta) is rience her murder, he will be able
on the scene. Fingering a pecu- to identify the real killer and even if they involve a ridiculous
liarly crumpled matchbook he clear his name. Briggs is reluc- premise, then you will be pleased
finds on the ground, Krane notes tant, but Krane convinces her to with Unforgettable. But regard-
that it bears a striking resem- help him, and thus the psycho- less, the title may be a stretch.
blance to the evidence found in logical distortion begins.
As the plot thickens, Krane ex-
his house after his wife was vio-
—Dan Zimmerman
lently murdered. Yes, Krane periences several spinal-fluid
Rated R
I
B
eauty is truly "in the eye of
the beholder." In Angels &
Insects, Philip Haas has di-
rected a film that is honey-
combed with visual delights.
Victorian England's structured
social order is the background for
this study of desires and social be-
havior. Angels & Insects tells the
story of William Adamson (Mark
Rylance), a naturalist who returns
to England from the jungles of
South America bereft — the vic-
tim of a shipwreck. He is be-
friended by the Rev. Harald
Alabaster (Jeremy Kemp), a
wealthy amateur insect collector,
who finds nature and naturalists
the rage.
William is attracted, like a
moth to a flame, to the eldest
daughter, Eugenia (Patsy Kensit),
A
William's grace, intelligence
wife and her family that he per-
ceives is brought about by his and decency provide a foil for the
son Edgar (Douglas
more modest upbringing. He
Henshall), who, though
busies himself with work —
MOVIES
• rich and powerful, is vi-
a study of ant colonies he
olent and unfeeling;
undertakes with Matty
and is pleasantly surprised when Crompton (Kristin Scott Thomas), Edgar is true to the cold, hard
she accepts his marriage propos- a poor relative of the Alabasters, whiteness of the Alabaster fami-
al. William then must live with_ whose forthright manner provides ly name. This is only one of many
the feeling of separation from his encouragement for William.
contrasts that highlight the con-
flict of the insect-like attractions
and spirituality that is the main-
stay of the film.
Throughout, the worlds of men
and insects merge. The director
beautifully juxtaposes the world
of nature and the "natural" world.
The symbolism is subtly but clear-
ly marked in the opening segue,
under the credits, from the world
of dancing jungle natives to the
smooth waltz of the Victorian ball-
room, and continues to the ant
colonies and the Alabaster fami-
ly, the insect pupa and Victorian
sexuality. The actors are so nat-
ural, so sincere they lead you to
forget that this is a period piece.
The cinematographer Bernard
Zitzermann deftly captures the
Members of the Alabaster household share an outing in Angels & Insects.
'Angels and Insects'
Unrated
Rated R
beauty of the two worlds in his pic-
tures of the stylized rooms with
cocoon-like draperies on the bed;
views of the queen ant; and
plump, pampered Lady Alabaster
receiving her "court." In addition,
the costumes — and they are that,
not just clothes — mimic the bum-
blebees, butterflies, moths and
ants. Each scenic detail captures
the significance of the similar
worlds.
We, along with William, are fi-
nally led to the shocking discov-
ery that truly records the decay
and perversion of this "civilized"
society inhabited by angels and
insects.
tO ca. ,
c!)
—Sy Manello
Bagel Barometer
Outstanding
to
Z*-
Very Good
Good
Fair
C,C)
CY)
C_,
83