One of my absolute favorite films on 1998 was THE MIGHTY, and for those that saw FUNNY BONES, well you know that director Peter Chelsom is a filmmaker with immense talent as well as diversity. His next film isn't scheduled to hit till September 17. However, release dates have never really stopped us from taking a looksee. This was a very very early test screening. The film didn't have a finished score or finished print. And in the past Chelsom has used the test screening process to help sculpt his films not for 'mass consumption' but for the betterment of the film. Shock! Gasp! Anyways, here's our first look....
Hello from the Galaxy's biggest Hospital Station, Sector General. Dr. Magnan, Diagnostitian, here, with my little dog beside me. This is my first foray into reporter land for all you out there, so go easy on me.
As I was finishing diagnosing one of the giant Tralthan's under my care, a nurse brought by an invitation to be one of the priveleged first to see Warren Beatty's new film, Town and Country. "Town and Country?", you ask, "Never heard of that one." Not surprising. It's one of those comdedies no one hears about 'til it's right on top of you, running you over with it's tremendous star power.
That was the first thing that struck me when researching, as much as I could, for this film. All the internet sites I could find told me nothing of the story, but listed an incredible amount of Hollywood names. In addition to Beatty as Porter, you have Diane Keaton playing his wife; Ally, I believe her name was. Gary Shandling played second man as Porter's best friend, Griffen, with Goldie Hawn as his wife, Mona. in addition to these, the film also included performances from Natasha Kinski, Jenna Elfman, Andie, MacDowell, and Charlton Heston. Heavy Duty!!
The story focuses on Porter's midlife crisis and the several affairs he participates in after Griffen is found by Mona to be cheating. This gets Porter, who is normally pretty stable, to thinking. After which he goes out and cheats on HIS wife. This wasn't the first major plot problem I had, but in the interest in not spoilering too much, I will refrain from continuing too far.
Overall, the film was disjointed. The basic story was there; this sort of Woody Allen-esque New York thing. But there were too many characters for a film that's basically about one man's fall into infedelity and his climb back out. Too many subplots. And for all you people that hate Andie MacDowell; well, after the focus group got finished with her, I'm not so sure you'll see her in the film.
Unfortunately, removing that plot line removes Charlton Heston and Andie's mother, A woman who wields her electric wheelchair like a tank and her tongue like a machine gun. I never heard a woman of that age and supposed breeding use that foul of language with such hilarious results in quite some time, if ever. But the whole Andie MacDowell plot seems to come from a whole other film.
The ending needed a little work as well. I don't want to spoil things, but lets just say the problems between Porter and his wife don't have any 'closure', to quote 'Analyse This'.
Some good things about the film, it had great cinematography, wonderful locations; all the way from Mississippi to New York to Sun Valley, and a very jazzy sound track. I'll have to get it just for the cello themes, which show up when Porter is in trouble. Also, I have to mention that, although the plot is flawed, there are a great many laughs in the film.
All in all, I enjoyed it well enough. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under twenty, though. The themes are much too mature and the actors too old for any teens to really care. It will be interesting to see the finished product in a few months to see if any of our suggestions were taken.
Well, I have surgury to perform on a Melfan, so I must scrub in. Til next time, this is Dr. Magnan, signing off.
