MY GIANT 1998
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1998 Timothy Voon
3 :-( :-( :-( it's no fairy tale
Cast: Billy Crystal, Gheorghe Muresan, Kathleen Quinlan, Zane Carney, Steven Seagal, Joss Ackland Director: Michael Lehmann Producers: Billy Crystal, Peter Schindler Screenplay: David Seltzer
Why have Billy Crystal's films been so disappointing of late? I think the answer lies in the fact that when he plays the main lead – he has a tendency to be overpowering, like a spilt bottle of perfume in a small room. The screen is over-permeated with Billy and this is the problem with MY GIANT. His co-star Gheorge Muresan, is big, but has zero personality. With nothing to counteract Crystal, it's like he's just talking to a wall and that's what Billy does in this movie – he talks to himself.
The fact that giant Gheorge, doesn't carry much charisma or charm, does not help the cause. The poor darling suffers from acromegally, a hormonal imbalance that results in overgrowth. We are meant to feel sorry for his dilemma of being cursed with being big and for his impossible search for love. Unfortunately, his accent is so thick that it comes across like a rumble of thunder – vaguely understandable.
The highlight of the movie is undoubtedly Steven Segal. MY GIANT was badly in need of life, and I started wishing that a Segal action thriller would take over (not a good sign). Unfortunately, there were no thrown daggers, kicking heads or gunfire. I badly needed be entertained and woken from the monotony of the overwhelming, characteristic Crystal whine. I believe that Billy Crystal does best when he is co-starring and providing the comic relief for otherwise serious acting. Either that or hosting the Oscars.
Timothy Voon
e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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