FAITHFUL
A film review by Michael John Legeros
Copyright 1996 Michael John Legeros
(New Line) Directed by Paul Mazursky Written by Chazz Palminteri, based on his play Cast Cher, Chazz Palminteri, Ryan O'Neal MPAA Rating "R" (presumably for language and sexual content) Running Time 91 minutes Reviewed at Six Forks Station Cinemas, Raleigh, NC (5APR96)
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I really really really wanted to walk out of this terrible movie, but I didn't. Instead, I stayed and endured, in spite of the sheer awfulness that erupts when a hit man (Chazz Palminteri) breaks into a housewife's (Cher) expensive home, only to begin sprouting monologues about fidelity and faithfulness. Paul Mazursky directs from Chazz's play, which also stars a pudgy Ryan O'Neal as the husband who hires the "contract artist." The plans go afoul when the neurotic hit man-- he calls his shrink while "on duty"-- begins to fall for the wife. (He's obviously moved by her unnatural beauty and a voice that sounds like a perpetual head cold.) The laughs in this movie number, oh, about ten. The dialogue is probably racy enough to keep you awake, if that be your type of torture. Or, just pass the time by imagining David Letterman as the host of next year's Oscar ceremony: Chazz, Cher; Cher, Chazz.
Grade: F
[ Video note: For a *real* intimately hilarious hostage comedy, go rent THE REF (1993). Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Denis Leary. You'll laugh. ]
--
Mike Legeros - Raleigh, NC
legeros@nando.net (h) - legeros@unx.sas.com (w)
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