TOYS
A film review by Malcolm Austin
Copyright 1993 Malcolm Austin
I liked this movie a lot more than other people seem to have. Partially, I think, this is because of one of my own quirks of judging a movie. I will often greatly enjoy a movie that achieves a distinctive mood or feel through music, set design, camerawork, or other incidental components, even if the plot and/or central characters of the movie are weak. This is why I enjoy some "bad" movies such as DUNE, STREETS OF FIRE, or THE 5,000 FINGERS OF DR. T.
TOYS certainly achieves such a unique feel. If this film does not win an Oscar for set design, the Academy will have forfeited all respectability as judges of artistic merit (like they haven't already ...). The movie is simply wonderful to watch from beginning to end. The only movie I can think of to compare it to is WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, but this film is far more sophisticated, visually, than that. (Even if it doesn't have the Oompa-Loompas.) One thing that surprised me was how good the soundtrack was. It uses several of my favorite contemporary musicians, such as Enya, Thomas Dolby, and the new and obscure (or so I thought) Tori Amos. Not since NORTHERN EXPOSURE have I seen such a variety of music used well to create mood.
Let's quickly go over the bad points. The plot is predictable, but that's not really the problem. It starts with a lot of promise for an obvious formula, but quickly becomes very dumb, culminating in a final scene reminiscent of the classic SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS. (This is not a complement, believe me.) Most of the casting is actually quite fine, with the notable exception of Robin Wright, who wanders in and out of the movie sporting a really strange Southern accent, and seeming to imitate Darryl Hannah all through the movie. Robin Williams is a perfect choice for the character of Leslie Zevo, and not just as a zany comedian, but his talent gets squandered so badly that his only good moments are the scenes where he is, in fact, a zany comedian. (Contrast this to DEAD POET'S SOCIETY, in which his *worst* moments are when he is a zany comedian.) He does have one hilarious scene towards the end as he delivers a Pattonesque speech to a bunch of wind-up toys in his inimitable style.
Joan Cusack, on the other hand, delivers a wonderful performance as Leslie's sister Alsatia. I think her work was good enough to merit a Best Supporting Actress nomination, although I doubt she'll get one.
There are so many unique scenes in this movie that I think it is well worth seeing, despite its obvious flaws. I'll definitely be watching this film again.
-- =Malcolm Austin==w:(212)703-6134==h:(914)633-3966==maus@fid.morgan.com=====
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