"This woman was crying and sob- bing and bemoaning her fate, and I found myself saying, 'I'm not moved by what she's doing, by her problems.' And I said, 'Why am I not moved?' Then I said, 'It's because she's com- plaining too much. She's crying too much. If she would do it less, then I would be moved more.' And I just put that in the hopper for my work." What he liked about the Brazilian actors in this film — specifically Pedro Cardoso and Fernanda Torres with whom he worked most closely — ih as that he felt they were real actors. "There was nothing grand about them in any way. They were just doing their work. And I think that's one of the greatest things about the movie. It's the kind of work you don't see in the U.S. "I feel that even the good work — and I know this is a terrible blanket criticism — is about selling. I see peo- ple selling, selling, selling. I feel like we've become a culture of salesmen:" . But not Arkin, who admits he's happy with his career, especially of late. "I'm working more now and getting better projects than I've had in decades." In a couple of weeks, Arkin returns to the stage to start rehearsals for Power Plays, which premieres off- Broadway at the Promenade Theater in early April. It's an evening of three one-act plays, featuring one he wrote and one written by Elaine May. He directs all three and acts in two. "It's the first time I've been on stage in 30 years," he says. "So, I'm kind of petrified about that." The cast includes May's daughter, Jeanne Berlin, and Arkin's son, Anthony. "God help me, I'm going to be in it for six months," he says. "I thought I'd signed on for three, but I signed on for six. I'll be climbing the walls. Yeah, we'll wait and see." Then he begins to tell a story about one of his sons who left a career as an attorney to become an actor, when he suddenly leaps out of his chair, shout- ing in Polish dialect, "Mr. Budapest." The man whose arms he rushes into is none other than Robin Williams, who is doing his own promo gig in the same hotel for Good Will Hunting. Arkin and Williams recently shot Jakob the Liar in Budapest, in which they played two World War II Jewish ghetto residents. Now, the surprise visit by his col- league sends Arkin into comedy orbit, where Williams is already firmly ensconced. The two hug and continue a sponta- neous riff in full dialect. The Williams visit has energized Arkin enormously. He can't stop laughing. Unfortunately, time's up. But who cares? "Did that screw up the interview," he asks sincerely. 'Are you kidding?" "No, seriously," he asks again even though he'd rather do anything than talk about himself. Dinner For on Monday & Tuesday Includes: • Glass of House Wine • Soup or Salad • Entree • Bread Basket • Dessert HOURS 11-10 pm • FRI: 11-11 pm We Take Reservations M-TH: SAT: 5 11 pm • SUN: 4 9 pm Most Major Credit Cards Accepted - - 25938 Middlebelt Rd. (at 11 mile Rd.) • (248) 476 1750 - Lelli's of Auburn Hills & Detroit FINE DINING RESTAURANTS Catering Services Provided For Your Special.Occasion Or Company Celebration. Our Location Or Yours. Becky Lelli's of Auburn Hills • 248-373-4440 Andre Lelli's of Detroit • 313-871-1590 For Reservations Now ❑ Critic's Corner It has been a long time since Alan Arkin was an exciting actor --- as a film star he was virtually scuttled by the flop of Catch 22 in 1970 — but aging and even balding have made Arkin a cogent, unfettered, intelli gent presence in films, a mentsh with no need of machismo. As the kidnapped American diplo- mat to Brazil in Four Days in September, Arkin maintains ambas- sadorial dignity, until fear closes in and he loses bladder control. He then sits on a toilet and cries, a scene that many actors would have made so piti- ful that audiences would laugh ner- vously. Instead, Arkin makes us feel the pure humanness of a proud man humbled (and then, the comfort of seeing him recover his dignity). Bruno Barret°, drawing on former radical Fernando Gabeira's book, - filmed in Brazil. The result is a trib- ute to the late Ambassador Charles B. Elbrick, but also the kidnappers who held him hostage, to shake the military dictatorship in 1969. We savor Elbrick's honest, careful personality (he doesn't agree with Americanpolicy in Vietnam or the support of military regimes). And we slip behind the nervy facades of the commandos. The kidnap action was both suc- cess and failure. In the long term (it took the regime 20 years to fall), it probably had small importance. But lives turned on it, and this balanced, observant film puts us in touch with those lives. Rated R. --- Reviewed by David Elliot Copley News Service Authentic Szechuan Cooking Seafood • ocktails ■ egetarian Dishes • )--tome of General TSO'S Chicken •'1A0 MSG on all dishes • 1'aily Specials !MR DINE IN OR CARRYOUT Exil 12 131 Not good with any other offers 1 coupon per table • with coupon 39450 14Mile Rd. corner of 11 Newberry t ' (248)960:7,, Original location: 2g2i0Mite Rd at Middlebelt - livOnia Caffituj Panig Goeto check out THE JEWISH NEWS CELEBRATION CONNECTION DIRECTORY In The Market Place For Your Entertaining Needs! 2/20 1998 1115