Here's another look at the film, and this viewer was left...wanting. They wanted to like it, they wanted to see a good movie, but their eyes and ears were not sated. Of course this WAS their eyes and ears, and not those of yours. So relax and hang loose, you'll be the final water mark...
Hey, Harry, this past Sunday I had a chance to see John Travolta's new drama A CIVIL ACTION at the Avco Theater in Westwood. Having not read the novel, I didn't know too much about the film except the fact that it had a wonderful cast and wonderful screenwriter (and director). I was psyched to see it, you could say. But...
My expectations were not met. This film won't win any accolades come awards time. Hey, it won't even garner a nomination. I guess Disney's going to have to settle for a few technical nominations for ARMAGEDDON and maybe a cinematography nod for THE HORSE WHISPERER. But that's it. Other than that, they're dead (Well, if you don't count Miramax, that is. THE MIGHTY, which I loved, should definitely earn a few.).
I won't go into the plot, because, well, Goldfinger and the other spy already did that. I'll tell you its flaws and weaknesses and what, if any, it has going for it. First - there was too much music. I believe Robert Duvall mentioned on his audio commentary of THE APOSTLE dvd that there's too music score in films nowadays. Here, he's right. It doesn't work. Since it was a temp track, they still have time. Disney, you still have time! Less is more!
Another problem with the flick is the pace. The film's only a two hour film, but it feels like three hours. I wouldn't know how to cut it without making it too short. I believe Kathy Bates had a cameo in the film at the end, but apparently they must have cut her, for she was not in a single frame. I guess that's a good thing. I don't think I could stand another five minutes, though Bates could have added some needed spunk.
What does it have going for it? Well, the performances for one. John Travolta sports expensive suits finer than anyone else. If I were to get hit by a bus, I would want this guy to represent me. So, yes, he does an adequate job (like always), but no better than his PRIMARY COLORS' Jack Stanton. Hopefully, we'll see more of his acting chops in Paramount's THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER next year.
Duvall, arguable the most natural actor to ever grace the screen, is his usual fine self. He makes it look easy. And Kathleen Quinlan, though teary- eyed in almost every scene of hers (which got very annoying), is a nice addition. But the best thing about A CIVIL ACTION is William H. Macy. He literary does anything and everything to find funds (whether it be buying lottery tickets, or ordering credit cards, or begging for a loan from the bank). This guy has true talent.
The film is not melodramatic, which says a lot. The filmmakers fortunately neglected to tell the stories of the eight children's life and death over and over and over again from their parent's POV like other similar films have. In fact, the parents weren't allowed to testify.
The ending is subtle and realistic, but the movie as a whole still left me feeling empty. Something was missing - but definitely not water. I mean, there were so many shots of a glass of water sitting on a table that, you know, I wanted to throw up! Pure overkill in that respect.
I tried my best to love the film, but it wasn't in me. Maybe it will be in you.
-Jack, the Boy Wonder-
