Liberty Heights (1999) Reviewed by Eugene Novikov http://www.ultimate-movie.com/ Member: Online Film Critics Society
Starring Adrian Brody, Ben Foster, Orlando Jones, Bebe Neuwirth, Joe Mantegna, Rebekah Johnson, David Krumholtz. Richard Klein, Justin Chambers, Charley Scalies. Rated R.
Aside from making occasionally intelligent crowd-pleasers such as Sphere, Wag the Dog and Rain Man, Barry Levinson also directed four lesser-known films known as his "Baltimore movies," all of them focusing on the life of Jewish people in 50s Baltimore. Those films -- Diner, Tin Men, Avalon and now Liberty Heights -- have all been met with critical plaudits but little in terms of box-office; what allowed Levinson to keep making them was his respected Hollywood stature. I'm sure he called on some favors to get some of these movies financed. But while the 3rd film, Avalon, was clearly not a populist movie, the influence of the profit-minded studios has taken its toll on Liberty Heights; it tries too hard to attract an audience by pitching itself to the lowest common denominator.
Despite a colorful assortment of supporting characters, the film's main focus is Ben and Van Kurtzman (Ben Foster and Adrian Brody, respectively), two Jewish teens struggling with the prejudices that plague Baltimore in the 1950s. They struggle desperately to fit in, going to non-Jewish parties where they are not welcome, doing everything they can not to reveal their nationality. The prejudices against them have made their parents prejudiced; when Ben says that he finds a "colored" girl attractive, his mom (Bebe Neuwirth) exclaims "Just kill me now!"
Ben does indeed develop a relationship with a colored girl and Van falls hard for a gorgeous, Cinderella-white Christian girl, who also happens to be going out with a (thankfully) benevolent Christian guy (Justin Chambers) who decides to help Van out. Meanwhile Ben and Van's father, who run an illegal gambling operation, get into money trouble with small-time drug dealer Little Melvin, who might just go on the offensive against the Kurtzman family should he not get his money on time.
There is a riotous scene in the beginning of the movie where Ben decides to dress like Hitler for Halloween. His mom flips and calls his father, who adamantly tells her that Ben shall not go out like that, and asks to "speak to the Fuhrer." Ben's mom gives him the phone and he begins with a distinctive "Jaaaaaaaa?" Well, you had to be there. The scene is hilarious, and I was only hoping the film would continue with that sort of witty, intelligent humor, but no such luck: it soon deteriorates into potty jokes American Pie style, obviously inserted to attract the young crowd that may not otherwise be interested in a movie about race relations 45 years ago.
Beyond the often immature facade is hidden a touching, good-hearted movie about growing up, being different and having a cosmopolitan attitude towards people. It ain't deep stuff, but it's heartfelt, sincere and, despite the touchy subject matter, often sweet. It's about the people more than it's about the situations they're in; we're supposed to watch the characters' reactions rather than analyze their surroundings.
The performances are solid across the board; no Oscar contenders here, but some enjoyable turns from some good actors. Joe Mantegna is typically good as Ben and Van's troubled father. He isn't as lively, perhaps, as he is in some of his other performances, but then again he's hardly supposed to be. Adrian Brody probably isn't the best actor for his role -- I'd kill to see, say, David Krumholtz (who plays Brody's clutzy friend) take the part instead. The highlight of the performances is relative newcomer Ben Foster, who bites into his role with humorous, irreverent gusto (I love that word!).
I enjoyed the movie, dirty jokes and all, though I couldn't help thinking that, in this case, less is more. Levinson has the basic idea, now he has to parrot down: cut the potty humor, add more genuine wit and tell the studio executives insisting on material that would entice teens to go screw themselves.
Grade: B
©1999 Eugene Novikov
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