Unstrung Heroes (1995)

reviewed by
Chad Polenz


Unstrung Heroes Chad'z rating: *** (out of 4 = good) 1995, PG, 93 minutes [1 hour, 33 minutes] [lighthearted drama/comedy] Starring: Nathan Watt (Steven/Franz Lidz), John Turturro (Sidney Lidz), Andie McDowell (Selma Lidz), Michael Richards (Uncle Danny), Maury Chaykin (Uncle Arthur), produced by Susan Arnold, Donna Roth, Bill Badalato, written by Richard LaGravenese, directed by Diane Keaton, based on the novel by Franz Lidz.

"Unstrung Heroes" is another one of those coming-of-age films that are intended to touch your heart and make you feel good, and films does that without becoming sappy or contrived (well... maybe a little bit). It's a interesting story about characters we don't usually get to see, yet they seem very recognizable.

Everyone thinks their family is strange, but Steven Lidz (Watt) may actually have the claim to that fame. His father, Sidney (Turturro), is a strange inventor who believes science can solve any problem. His mother, Selma (McDowell), is a beautiful, chain-smoking housewife who is slowly dying of cancer. But these elements are not played upon too heavily, which allows us to get closer to the characters without being distracted by the tense situation and their basic eccentricity.

Steven's uncles are even more bizarre than his immediate family. Uncle Danny (Richards) believes someone is constantly following him, especially anti-Semites. There is also Uncle Arthur (Chaykin) who lives with Danny and is just as strange because he has the mindset of a child. He is amused by simple things such as balls, old newspapers, and garbage. He's a fascinating character because of his sense of innocence.

Steven ends up staying a summer with his two uncles because his home has become such a cold place. He has no bond with his father, and he cannot see his mother because of her condition. He learns about the outside world through his uncles, who don't even live in the "real world" themselves. He accepts their strangeness as truth since it seems to make more sense than the complicated, scientific rhetoric his father constantly spews.

There is also a sub-plot involving a philosophical battle of faith versus science. Steven starts to learn about his Jewish roots, as he was denied them by his atheist father. He is renamed Franz and refuses to go by his old name.

I'm not really sure who the "unstrung heroes" of this movie are supposed to be. Maybe the uncles because of their innocence, or perhaps Steven/Franz because of his exposure to so many different aspects of life. Maybe even Mr. and Mrs. Lidz who love Steven and care for him, but just don't know how to express their love.

Although there isn't much to "Unstrung Heroes," thankfully, it doesn't make the mistake of becoming too sappy like most other stories of the sort. It's want you're looking for in a disposable drama - but I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

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(C)1997 Chad Polenz

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