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cwhitfield
Reviews
She's Having a Baby (1988)
Saved by the ending
Let's face it. it's not the most original premise of a young guy marrying young who goes through an early life crises. Yet the film reaches a sweetness that never turns into sickly. Whilst I think the screenplay could've been tighter and the script is not nearly up to the usual John Hughes banter; the picture is adequate due to the oh so natural performances of Kevin Bacon and the neglected Alec Baldwin. But it is not these two that saves this picture. What saves this picture is the final montage to the backing of Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work" which intertwined with Bacon's brilliant expression of emotion makes your heart skip a beat. I have never been in love nor had a baby but that scene hit me like a tonne of bricks and the film becomes watchable if only for that.
Beautiful Girls (1996)
'I just want something beautiful....'
.....and this film delivers with flying colours. It is very rare to see a picture where such a diverse set of actors gel so convincingly with each other. From the mature and outstanding Nathalie Portman to the hilarious Rosie O'Donnell, it is the casting that gives this exceptional coming of age comedy-drama its edge.
The sentimental yet bitter direction helps create a simple yet complex setting packed with a lot of history. The basic premise of a group of twentysomethings going to their high school reunion with a plethora of love related issues may not sound remotely original, but the manner in which the late Ted Demme uses character and setting to help promote a sharp and at times moving script help keep this picture above the rest of other 'friends reunited' films out there.
This underrated and 'under seen' picture consists of an ensemble worthy of being compared to Kevin Kline's in The Big Chill and Hugh Grant's in Four Weddings. The chemistry between Timothy Hutton and co shines off the screen as if you were there drinking and singing with them yourself thanks to the director who uses a strong sense of humanity as a major tool in telling this emotional tale. Something rarely done in the film industry nowadays.
With a fantastic soundtrack and an inviting title for any red blooded man, it is a must see for all who have loved and lost on any level. And after all, any film that can make me love a Neil Diamond song after watching it has to be worth checking out!
Two Girls and a Guy (1997)
Script lets it down. Downey Jr Shines
While the prominent and over use of the play-like format is in total operation throughout the film, it is not however this that lets this picture down. Rather it is the unconvincing female performances and rather tedious script that the film so obviously relied on a little too much. With an idea that had potential, the simple plot is diminished still by Graham's failure to truly express the devastation her character so adamantly claims to experience. The use of improvised scenes by all the actors would not be such a bad idea if only the two leading ladies could take advantage of this privilege. As Downey Jr proves as usual what a gifted actor he is, he shadows the two actresses in their scenes together which is constantly noticeable. The pointless yet intense sex scene seems merely to exist in order to prevent the film from being too verbally expressive giving the actors a much deserved break from talking. With an unsatisfying conclusion, Two Girls and a Guy has very little to recommend it other than Downey Jr's formidable if not out of place performance.