Page 8 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, March 20, 1987 'Tin Men' proves to be made of gold By John Shea Somewhere in Baltimore there is a restaurant that Barry Levinson patronized in the 1950s. It was a place where he and his friends would congregate to talk about the Colts and women, in that order. Levinson doesn't go there anymore, but every once in a while he reaches back into the corners of his mind and recalls the days of his youth; what he remembers, he transfers onto film. Levinson has made an entire career out of remembering. It is a mistake, however, to consider Levinson's body of work (The Natural, Young Sherlock Holmes) merely "nostalgia." His very first film, 1982's Diner, is often a light-hearted look at the lives of a group of friends who are faced with the coming of adulthood. There are many opportunities for wonderful comedy here, and Levin- son explores most of them. But the very last shot of the film - a frozen picture of the group sitting at a table at their friend's wedding reception, staring at the bouquet which the bride tossed to their table - reveals a deeper, more serious undercurrent which demands consid- eration. Levinson's latest film,Tin Men, is made in very much the same mold. Using the same Balti- more setting and the same res- taurant as a backdrop, Tin Men be - comes a first cousin to Diner. Here, it is1963, ten years after Diner ; a time when a nickle buys you a Coke, Wednesday night is "Bonanza Night," and the Cadil- lac reigns supreme. Also an ear- mark of the time is "tin men," aluminum siding salesmen who con middle-income home owners into buying $4000 worth of siding. Levinson focuses on the lives of two rival tin men, Bill "BB" Babowsky (Richard Dreyfuss) and Ernest Tilley (Danny DeVito). The two meet after an innocent fender-bender, and both immediately vow revenge on the other. "BB" starts by bashing Tilley's head- lights; Tilley retaliates by smash- ing all of "BB's" windows. The situation escalates to a point where we believe it can go no farther-"BB" seduces Tilley's wife, Nora (Barbara Hershey). But in bragging of the deed to his rival, "BB" is stunned to hear Tilley laugh at him; he is "glad to have the old broad off (his) back." "BB" has been one-upped again. He gets madder. And it goes on. Levinson really knows how to play this brand of humor; the temptation to resort to slapstick is there, but he holds back. DeVito's bugs-eyes don't jump off the screen and Dryfuss doesn't wear the same wry, knowing smile throughout the film. Goofiness is allowed, but only on a very controlled level; Levinson's interest is in developing the characters as well as making a time piece. And interspersed be- tween the revenge story, Levinson gives us a facinating look at the aluminum siding business and how these con men used high-pressure sales tactics and heavy (ses of psychology to make a sale. It is a lot of fun to watch. But soon after Tilley challenges "BB" to take his wife, the laughter dissipates. A sort of heavy-handedness sets in: Nora is deeply hurt by the fact she was used as a pawn in the two men's fight, and files for a divorce from Tilley; Tilley himself has the IRS and the Home Improvement Commission, an organization devoted to stopping aluminum siding scams, breathing down his neck; and "BB" is torn between his love for the single's life and his growing affection for Nora. Although much of this is handled with a light touch, the serious implications are there. Levinson refuses to let Tin Men stand as a shallow, light- hearted comedy. Unlike Diner, which lacked a certain focus, and The Natural, which made Robert Redford something of a god-figure I I Director Barry Levinson talks with Richard Dreyfus on the set of their 1 1 1 I 1 I 1 1 ' 18.O'HAIRCUT SPECIAL, 1 reg. $10.00 exp. March 31, 1987 1 1 I new movie, 'Tin Men.' at the expense of the story, Levin- son grabs hold of his story here and is attentive to it throughout. The script leaves no holes, and the au- thor's love of the time period and the people in it shine through every frame. The casting of Dreyfuss and DeVito in the title roles seems off- beat, but the two have a quirky chemistry, and it works. I am not a big fan of DeVito, but I thought he was good in this role. He, too, has matured a little here, refraining himself from mugging the camera every scene. He is called on to do some serious introspection in the second half of the movie, and he is at times convincing. Dreyfuss is very appealing as "BB," and I liked Hershey a lot too. I wish Levinson had developed their relationship even more. Tin Men is a lot of fun, and at the same time takes itself very seriously. Perhaps the best way to capture the essense of Tin Men is to describe the last scene of the film. Levinson closes by giving us a slow pan of a street in Baltimore, focusing on nothing in particular yet freezing the shot in time before fading to black. It is Levinson, once again reaching in corners of his mind, crying for the days that have longed since past. A Let Them Know How You Feel! ! DAILY PERSONALS 764-0557 ''""""""'ANN ARBOR hE1 & 2 e U ' 761 -J9U700 *UEE EUEUUU EUUU COUPON MBEEEMEMEMEMBE * OPU U"M" with this entire ad $1.50 off any adult evening * * A - U """ admission, except Tues. - good thru 3/31187 DECLINE OF DAIL.Y LITTLE SHOP THE AMERICAN TWILIGHT OF HORRORS EMPIRE SHOWS ROUND MIDNIGHT Call for show times I4 MICHIGAN TELEFUND is looking for high-quality, responsible students. E u E LEI SAVE ON ALL CBS MASTERWORKS CLASSICAL CDs! r, a, If you are mature, articulate and want to speak persuasively about the University and its needs with the alumni population, we'll pay you $4-6/ hour plus bonuses. Spend a few evenings each week this semester with the MI Telefund. Your mind and pocketbook will be richer for the experience. To apply, come to 611 Church Street Third Floor or call 763-7420. Givethe gift of music 4 ~ A ~cmw= 2O 4 e99 Classical LP and cassette titles may vary by store and are subject to manfacturer's availability. Sale ends March 29,1987. ionnuni nnannilo 4 I u'A A U v 4 wmwan4L i I I