° - me wumrom u any "'wnuoy, .mmvy , i _ ... m f dik Project Community 1 cr ~( it? I-'i~o;cct (iom~.uini ~y ..fe~n~ ~ UKo~;y and E nTJ2S UI I 3ustjce. A~§Jb. (aQ7 _f T; 1<. . >ii ,v rridcs, Mc . :/-- ' w / - You're the one for me, Finney: Modine and Al go for a walk where it's quiet and dry and talk about precious things. 'Browning a compelling version Greek Leadership Conference (GLC)- 1995 . ' / By JOSHUA RICH Perhaps capitalizing on the recent successes of movies set in conservative boarding schools, "The Browning Version" is a film similar in setting but vastly different in meaning from its predecessors. This movie focuses not on the struggles between tyrannical teachers and careless: students, but rather the internal conflict of one retiring This year's GLC will be held on February 4, 1995 from 9:30am to 3:30pm. The Conference will feaure three pathways for student leaders: Leaders; Emerging Leaders; and Established Leaders. The registration deadline for organizations who plan on participating is January 20, 1995. The registration fee is $50 per organization and allows all members within the orga- nization to participate in the Conference. Individual leaders are also encouraged to participate. For indi- vidual registration or questions call Erica Strausman at 663-4505. The Browning Version Directed by Mike Figgis with Albert Finney and Greta Scacchi professor coping' with the life and legacy that he is leaving behind. Inthiscase, the teacher is bril-. liantly portrayed by Albert Finney ("The Dresser"). With his subtle, yet engaging per- formance, Finney once again shows how he is a pleasant remnant of a time when actors were groomed more for pure talent than sexual or financial appeal. Consequently, Finney's An- drew Crocker-Harris becomes one of the most tragic, yet understandable characters to grace the silver screen in recent memory. Nearing the end of his final term as a professor ofclassical languages and literature at a prestigious boarding school in rural England, Andrew Crocker-Harris - dubbed by his pubescent students as "The Hitler of the lower fifth (form)" - must cope with his decision to retire from the institution atwhich he has taught for over two decades. Atthe sametime, however, he is faced with a crumbling marriage to an unfaithful and stubborn wife (Greta Scacchi) with whom he rarely communicates, as well as deteriorating health. In waiting is his successor (Julian Sands) who brings new and modern teaching methods and curricula to the classroom that Andrew dominated during the previous era. It is his impending departure as well as the mounting signs that those around him disapprove of his behavior- his students fear him, his wife hates him, his beloved school denies him an essential retirement pension - that cause Andrew to become increasingly dissatisfied with. his slowly deteriorating life. But amidst all the gloom associated with his retirement comes a pleasant reminder of how Andrew has, despite frightening his pupils, touched many of their lives. Taplow,oneofAndrew's students, presents his departing professor with a version of the first edition of Aeschylus' "Agamemnon"-Andrew's favorite drama- as translated by Robert Browning. Upon receiving this gift Andrew breaks down in tears realizing at once both the small suc- cesses and large failures of his completed tenure. Director Mike Figgis ("Internal Affairs") has superbly crafted an updated version of Terence Rattigan's 1939 one-act play of the same title. While some minor plot devices and pieces of the story do not tie together well - especially the presence of an American science teacher (Matthew Modine) with whom Andrew's wife is having an affair-- the film's technical achievements in photog- raphy and sound make up for its minor inconsistencies. The acting is solid throughout, as highlighted by Finney's memorable performance and the portrayal of young Taplow by English newcomer, 14-year-old Ben. Silverstone. Above all, however, "The Browning Version" is a complex character study that depends on the talents of its lead actor to present Andrew as an unfortunate and misun- derstood man. Not much substantive action occurs in this film in order to motivate the plot. Rather, the faint, yet powerful messages this film presents are expressed pri- marily through the actions, speech and expression appear- ing on the face of Finney's character. Andrew enters the movie a cold, fearsome professor who appears to be the ultimate sadist and heartless mentor. S Conversely, he departs a wise, yet pitiable man who has seen a major part of his life close in lieu of a dubious future. Finney's poignant conveyance of these themes is proof that he remains one of the purely talented actors in modern film. He may lead a film to success and, at the same time touch the heart of his respectful audience. THE BROWNING VERSION is playing at the Michi- gan. ' r Michigan Union .... ..... ........ . . 1 f "?! 1 , . j i, i ": [k C Relax to the Cool Sounds of Jazz!! Enjoy Great rood! Jazz 'n Dinner ' Every Sunday Night . in the U-Club. 5:00pm-7:30pmr 6a 0 36 Put on your dancin' shoes!! Classiacs at the (U) Club Wednesday, January 11 9:00pm , Saturday Night Fever only $1 pop & popcorn too!! Th L Clu b -1s t foo M h in Uniont kN TRLL PLIUS IT ALL I