YEAR OF THE COMET
A film review by Mark R. Leeper
Copyright 1992 Mark R. Leeper
Capsule review: Peter Yates directs and William Goldman
writes this far-fetched romantic thriller. The story is of a
chase for a bottle of wine that may only be worth a million
dollars or may be worth much more. The story is mediocre,
but the scenery is nice. Rating: high 0 (-4 to +4).
Penelope Ann Miller plays Margaret Harwood, a savvy wine expert who has had to fight to be given any responsibility in her faily's fine wine business. The first serious task she is given is to travel to a castle on the Isle of Skye and to inventory the castle's wine cellar her father has purchased. The good news is that the cellar turns out to have the most valuable wine bottle in the world--not to mention one of the biggest. It is a three-foot tall bottle of Chateau Lafitte from 1811, the "Year of the Comet." Unfortunately, the castle also houses a comic-book-style villain Philippe (played by Louis Jourdan) who is doing something scientific and evil elsewhere in the castle. Soon also on hand at the castle is Oliver Plexico, the agent of the purchaser of the wine bottle. Based on one previous experience, Margaret finds Oliver to be just about the most obnoxious man in the world. Guess who she has to have as an ally in her escape from the clutches of Philippe.
I have to admit being anxious to see this film from the moment I heard the story and screenplay were by William Goldman. Goldman is probably best known for THE PRINCESS BRIDE, but he also has been responsible for the novels and screenplays of NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY, MARATHON MAN, and MAGIC. He also wrote the screenplays for BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID, THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER, ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, and A BRIDGE TOO FAR. His name almost guarantees good writing. Almost. This is way below par Goldman with flat uninteresting heroes and far-fetched villains. The film was directed by Peter Yates (BULLITT, BREAKING AWAY, THE DEEP, THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE), who claims to have had in mind a Cary Grant/Grace Kelly sort of adventure with younger stars. Unfortunately, Ms. Miller is no Grace Kelly and Tim Daly as Plexico is even further from Cary Grant. The action is more predictable than exciting. The scenery does add a little needed gloss. Scotland is certainly beautiful and Southern France at least looks pleasant. But as romantic thrillers go, YEAR OF THE COMET is warm beer. I rate it a 0 on the -4 to +4 scale.
Mark R. Leeper
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