At Terminal Velocity Blanche McCrary Boyd reads. The author of "The Revolution of Little Girls" and "Terminal Velocity" comes to Rackham as part of the Visiting Writers Series. 5 p.m. .Le Lt- rga Sd~ Tomorrow in Daily Arts: ® Breaking Records features reviews of Nine Inch Nail's, Chris Cornell's and Ben Harper's new releases. 0 8A Monday September 20, 1999 'The Fanatic' examines new issues with old eyes By Joshua Pederson Daily Arts Writer in its purest form, the job of the artist and the job of the filmmaker is to explore the intricacies of the human condition. However, some would say that there's nothing new under the sun, that everything that's worth saying has been said a million times over. Th'e human condition is essentially the same as it always has been. Consequently, except for some wonderful- 1y rare occasion My Son The Fanatic At the Michigan Theater s, everything that could be said about the condition of the human spirit has been said at some time or other. For this reason, art, and more specifical- ly, film, will deal with the same themes as long as people care to create such works. A clash of genera- tions. A clash of cul- tures. A love sprung up from foreign soil. A peo- ple persecuted and a lifestyle condemned. All are themes that the medi- examined before, and will generational and cultural conflicts, display- ing the younger generation as hanging onto tradition while the older searches for new frontiers. Furthermore, while Parvez's son turns away from new love and youthful passion, Parvez, to the detriment of his very classical marriage, discovers these emotions in the arms of an unlikely woman. In this way, "M Son the Fanatic" isn't just a trailblazing o00 at tradition and rebellion, it's a unique but extremely beautiful romance. "My Son the Fanatic" isn't a movie to be viewed for its American star power for it's driven by no such force. It's a film produced by the BBC, and most, if not all of the actors and actresses will be foreign to viewers in the United States. However, all give strong per- formances. These are highlighted by the film's t leads, Om Puri and Oscar-nominee RachN Griffiths, who build for the audience a beau- tiful relationship, effusing an exquisitely compassionate on-screen love. "My Son the Fanatic" isn't a perfect film, as if any film could be. At times, the dia- logue is awkward. At times, the plot takes turns that are implausible at best. At times, the performances of the supporting actors are forced. But these are minor detractors. It is a feat worthy of note when a film deals with a difficult topic in a way that d justice to its exigency. However, it's ev, more impressive when a film does such a respectable job in a way that has not been done before, in a way that sheds new light on an ageless topic. "My Son the Fanatic" is just such a film. It explores the human condition admirably, and is a breath of fresh air in this age where the commonplace has become the standard fare. um of film has surely examine again. Frankly, one cannot invent new issues, but one can look at these issues from myriad perspectives. And those films which are most com- pelling are those films which explore univer- sal themes from unique and thought provok- ing angles, from angles that will challenge the viewer and cause him or her to take a new look at an old topic. "My Son the Fanatic" is a film which looks at very old issues with very new eyes. And for this reason, it distinguishes itself as an courtesy of Miamax Om Puri and Akbar Kurtha play Pakistani men who come to England in "My Son the Fanatic." exceptional film and an innovative explo- ration of human relationships. "My Son the Fanatic" is the story of a man and his family. It's a story of yearning, a story of thirst. It's a story of emptiness and of fulfillment. It's a story of fulfillment sought after in various places, and found by unexpected means. Parvez, the main character, is a middle-aged and imperfectly westernized Pakistani man who moved his family to Great Britain in search of a life of greater opportunity. As time passes, though, and as his family ages and matures, they become disillusioned with the vision of England that he possesses. All deal with this disillusion- ment differently, but Parvez's son's efforts pre- sent the most intriguing problems for the fami- ly's strength and unity. In blatant opposition to his father's anglophilia, he abandons his engagement to a beautiful British-born girl and finds solace within the confines of a reactionary, right- wing sect of Muslims looking to strengthen their roots in British soil. The film presents its audience with an inversion of oft-explored 'Bees' encourages small cast to shine By Jeremy Salvatori Daily Arts Writer How does a virgin describe their first time? Well ... it depends. It could be "OH, MY GOD, YES!! YES!!" or it could be "That was it? What just hap- pened? Did I miss something?" or even "Man, I think I'm going to throw up-! Well, this Performance Network virgin's "first time" with this small theater located at 408 W. Washington St., (just a small jaunt west of downtown's ]Main Street), was not exactly orgasmic. The atmosphere of the cozy little the- ater was pleasing, however, as was the production of the off-Broadway play, "As Bees in Honey Drown," written by talented playwright Douglas Carter Beane. "The New York Times" describes the play as "a delicious souffle of satire." What a perfectly succinct description! The satire comes to life as Alexa Vere de Vere, a fast-talking, cosmopoli- tan woman, persuades a budding young writer, Evan As Bees (in Wyler, to write about the story of her crazy and adven- As Bees turous life. She introduces him to the glamorous big-city Honey life of fame and fortune as he straps on for the ride Drown through her past and present adventures. Performance These adventures are not always what they seem, how- Network Ne 7-Oct.10 ever, for during this smooth, yet intricate plot line, Evan Wyler comes to a realization about not only how the world can work, but who he really is and what he really wants in life. Beane masterfully creates a script full of swerves and swoops that produces one surprise after the next. nBesides writing the scripts for a few other New York productions, Beane also wrote the screenplay for the film "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar." This screenplay llowed actors Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes and John Leguziamo to shine like stars. The well-written script for "As Bees in Honey Drown" also opens the door for its actors to shine, and though they didn't shine bright enough 0 guide three wise men to a manger, it was enough to get at least two of them to the stable. Despite afew missed lines characteristic of opening night, the cast per- firmed quite well with a script of long, tongue-twisting lines and reactions that play quickly off each other. Carla Milarch's character, Alexa Vere de Vere, has the most extreme case of these tongue-twisters, and she pulls off this difficult job quite impressively. Theater student Brendan McMahon's protagonist character, Evan Wyler, often requires powerful emotional demon- strations sans words, which he communicates exceptionally well. The small . __,> .,,t ., . 'y s , . r r ..a 'Tis' whines about' dying of the light r w Courtesy of Perfomance Network Carla Milarch and Brendan McMahon are part of the small "Bees" cast. cast has four other actors, Thomas Cooch, Tobin Hissong, Kathy Kauffmann and theater student Maggie Smith, that play a myriad of other well-acted sup- porting characters. The minimalist approach to props, lighting and sound effects in this pro- duction work splendidly. Stage manager Tricia Smith and her crew orches- trated the special effects just enough to enhance the story so that the audience is distracted from the acting. Director Robyn Heller's production of "As Bees in Honey Drown" is, if nothing else, a fun little job through the theatrical woods. Besides "As Bees in Honey Drown," Performance Network has five other plays yet to come this season. If you don't see the current show, check out one of the other five, for it is delightful to see successful professional theater outside of big cities such as Toronto or New York. Want to write. Come to the mass meeting tonight! 7:30 p.m. in the Daily Arts office Frank McCourt 'TIS Scribner It is impossible to begrudge Frank McCourt his success after reading the instrument of that success, the publishing phenomenon "Angela's Ashes." The pyrotechnic appearance of the book from the hand of an unknown, one who had spent decades in the obscurity of the New York public school system, was at least part of the man's public appeal. But much the greater part was the plucky charm of McCourt's voice, which perfectly captured the narra- tive persona of the author as a child. It is something of a shock, then, for readers who so wholeheartedly fell in love with the juvenile Frank McCourt to find the more "mature" model so prickly-edged and unap- proachable in McCourt's eagerly awaited second volume of memoirs, Tis." One would be remiss to ignore what pressure there must have been for an author attempting to devise a chaser for the near-miraculous "Angela's Ashes." Even with one's judgment tempered by this empathy, however, the stretch marks left on McCourt's good humor by the weight of this burden present them- selves to the reader. The amazing thing about "Angela's Ashes" was the way that the shocking squalor of McCourt's County Kildare upbringing was so starkly exhibited, yet guilelessly defused by the wit and deeply sin- cere passions of its child narrator. But whereas "Angela's Ashes sur- prised the reader both tenderly and harshly at the same time, "'Tis" finds its audience already familiar with the childhood that is the engine behind nearly every significant response McCourt has to his new life in the States. Such an audience cannot perhaps be surprised, but it can be startled anew when McCourt allows himself to become rancidly acrimonious over his many disappointments in the land of promise. This never happened in "Angela's Ashes," -but it happens every few pages in "'Tis." Far and away the best passage in "'Tis" is the opening section, which reprises the ending of "Angel'a's Ashes" and lends the new book title. As the adolescent McCourrs boat draws within sight ofuthe American skyline, the ship's officer declares ebulliently, "Isn't this a great country altogether?" and receives McCourt's shy response, This is one beauty of an ending to "Angela's Ashes," and the use of itas the title of the ensuing book seemis irresistible, but may have been & unfortunate decision. That's because the romantic exchange between sailor and new- comer implies a fulfilling embrace of the American dream. It's a drean that no doubt helped the yoPgg McCourt endure his hardships :in Ireland, but against it McCourt's inevitable disillusionment is leftin even more naked relief. McCotrt still has a way with a charmings tence, and his ear for dialaA smoothly encircles his rambling nar- ration. Furthermore, there are many won- derful stories embedded in the work, such as McCourt's fast-talking his way into the University of New Yqrk despite the technicality of his ;tot having attended high school. In an especially hypnotic episode, McCourt the G.I. avoids com duty in the Korean War only accompany his German-posted unit on a laundry detail to a former death camp. Regrettably, such stories seem all too strategically assembled in the end, an attempt to cloak the futility that seems to underlie McCourt's perspective. This undertone is so insistent that it is hard to imagine how recent celebrity could have pror.. vided the author's struggles all t* fundamental a redemption. If McCourt had openly countenanced this futility in "'Tis," the result might have been a great work of art, although it surely would have been a shattering experience to read and horrifying to most fans of "Angela's Ashes." But of course McCourt's amelioration of his darker waxings is not a conscious artifice, only t inherent self-deception most ofW require to continue the struggle. -Jeff Druchniak Discover Financial Services, Inc. a business unit of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., operates all Discover Brands with more than 46 million cardmembers and the Discover/Novus Network. The network is the largest independent credit card network in the united States with more than 3 million merchant and cash access locations. We are currently seeking individuals with experience in any of the following areas: COBOL n CICS VSAM DBLZ a JCL C C## JAVA ORIACLE UNIX ASSEMBLER x WINDOWS 95/NT a OOP PL/1 DATA WAREHOUSING OS/2 S " , " I' ~ 'I a f Ilk, A-Mr,:- Interetetd In Business? " Corporate Presentations " Networking * Social Activities than ronm tnour infnrmatinnal meeting z. - _ - r Iam I 1"