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1 color,<br />
Opinions on Current Productions<br />
^JATURE REVIEWS<br />
uhUes otherwise specilied < vbile (b&w). For story synopsis oa each picture.<br />
I tit, lUl '^<br />
Enolish Titles<br />
The Show Biz Co. 90 Minutes Rei. Jan. '79<br />
A man is a txjy in this engaging French import from<br />
1976, going- into slow release in this couiitry. It was written<br />
and directed by Francis Veber under its translated<br />
title, "Le Jouet." Pierre Richard colors his comedy portrayal<br />
of the leading role with a fine dramatic side which<br />
is quite affecting. Eleven-year-old Fabrice Greco, as the<br />
spoiled rich boy who "buys" him, manages to win sympathy<br />
after being introduced as a demanding and destructive<br />
type. It's obvious that the boy has all the material<br />
comforts but lacks real love from his father (.Michel Bouquet)<br />
and substitutes his "toy" for that purpose. Comic<br />
Richard is both clown and actor here. His disgust at being<br />
in such a dehumanizing situation gives way to arrogance<br />
at the sheer nerve of a man who can buy anything and<br />
a son who adopts that policy. Also good are Suzy Dyson,<br />
the cold stepmother; Jacques Francois, harried managing<br />
editor; and Charles Gerard in a typical characterization<br />
as an easygoing photographer. In Eastman Color, with<br />
music by Vladimir Cosma, the FideUne Films/ EFVE<br />
Films/ Remi Pi-oductions/Andi-ea Films co-production is<br />
being presented bv Byron Lasky and Lee Weisel. It can<br />
be sold as an offbeat comedy and an indictment of the<br />
wealthy class.—John Cocchi.<br />
Pierre Richard, Michel Bouquet, Fabrice Greco, Charles<br />
Gerard, Jacques Francois, Michel Aumont.<br />
Tricoutinental 87 Minutes Rel. May '79<br />
Made in Castro's Cuba in 1966, this very funny look at<br />
bm-eaucracy has been withheld from release here because<br />
it was felt to be too critical of the then-prevailing conditions<br />
to be fully miderstood or appreciated. Now that the<br />
climate has changed, the black and white Spanish dialog<br />
film can be seen. Dii-ector Tomas Gutierrez Alea made<br />
not only a poUtical satire but also a tribute to the masters<br />
of cinema, chief among them being Luis Bunuel. The sm--<br />
realism of Bunuel, particularly from "The Andalusian<br />
Dog" (1929), is evident in the di-eam sequences and the<br />
influence of Lam-el and Hardy's classic "Big Business"<br />
(1929) can be seen in the car smashing scene. Screenplay<br />
by Alea, Alfredo del Cueto and Ramon F. Suarez— the<br />
latter doubling as cinematographer—concerns the monumental<br />
red tape involved in burying a deceased worker.<br />
Salvador Wood portrays the harried nephew, gohi^<br />
through numerous adventm-es to give his uncle a decent<br />
laying to rest. He and the others in the cast do their<br />
energetic best to keep the comedy up, although the<br />
last reel seems to be a letdown considering what went<br />
before it. Pi-oduced by the Cuban Film Institute, "Bureaucrat"<br />
should have a strong although somewhat limited<br />
appeal in the foreign language houses.-^ohn Cocchi.<br />
Salvador Wood, Silvia Planas, Manuel Estanillo, Gaspar<br />
de SanteUces, Carlos Ruiz de la Tejera, Omar Alfonso.<br />
WALK PROUD<br />
PG<br />
Universal (7906) 102 Minutes Rel. June '79<br />
It Ukes a while to get used to the idea of Robby Benson<br />
as a Chicano. The makeup helps. The accent doesn't.<br />
The original title, "Gang!", would have been better than<br />
the hokey "Walk Proud," which conjurs up memories of<br />
the "Walking Tall" series. Though Benson remains unconvincing<br />
as a tough gang member with his soft-spoken<br />
style and boyish grin, it's evident he's given it an honest<br />
try. Even though the makeup is laid on thick, Benson<br />
still looks Uke a fraternity kid with a suntan, especially<br />
while strolling with his Anglo girlfriend, Sarah Holcomb.<br />
Much less convincing than Benson is the Evan Hunter<br />
story, du-ected by Robert CoUins. Tl-ie tough Chicano<br />
gangs need only musical accompaniment to be the clones<br />
of the Puerto Rican tough guys in "West Side Story.'<br />
And if Benson's tough-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside<br />
personality doesn't mimic Tony Manero's in "Saturday<br />
Night Fever," then this isn't 1979. With regard to love<br />
interest Holcomb, the best compliment is that she's pretty.<br />
She manages to remain sU-angely emotionless in even<br />
the most di-amatic scenes. If there was a meatier pm-pose<br />
to this Lawrence Tm-man production beyond giving Chicanos<br />
their turn on their screen. "Walk Pi-oud" just<br />
doesn't hack it.—Stu Goldstein.<br />
Robby Benson, Sarah Holcomb, Henry Darrow, Pepe<br />
Sema, Trinidad Silva, Ji-Tu Cumbuka.<br />
SAINT JACK S<br />
"""'^<br />
New World 112 Minutes Rel.<br />
Once upon a time, Peter Bogdanovich made three of<br />
the Seventies' biggest hits in a row; then he made thi-ee<br />
of the decade's biggest flops. Now he's trying again with<br />
a Ben Gazzara starrer about a pimp in Singapore. As it<br />
usuaUy is with prostitutes, he has a heart of gold and<br />
doesn't let anything trouble him for too long. Bogdanovich,<br />
who du-ected and co-authored the original screenplay<br />
with Howard Sackler and Paul Theroux, has garnered<br />
a good deal of press coverage; whether or not he<br />
has a hit remains to be seen. The story is uneven, tending<br />
'"=1, to amble rather than move at a fast clip. Acting is quite<br />
'•l'<br />
impressive thi-oughout, with Gazzara and Denholm Elliott<br />
taking top honors as two decent types from decidedly different<br />
worlds. The characters give the story spice and interest.<br />
There is a lot of nudity by both sexes, but virtually<br />
no sex. Lisa Lu, who was also the assistant producer, and<br />
George Lazenby, a one-time James Bond, have supporting<br />
roles, along with Bogdanovich as an operator who<br />
becomes involved with Gazzara. With Hugh M. Hefner<br />
and Edward L. Rissien as executive producers, the Playboy-Shoals<br />
Ci-eek-Copa de Oro picture was produced on<br />
location by Roger Corman. Both Bogdanovich and Gazzara<br />
have been quoted as saying that the film represents<br />
their best work.—John Cocchi.<br />
Ben Gazzara, Denholm Elliott, James Villiers, Joss<br />
Ackland, Peter Bogdanovich, Lisa Lu.<br />
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BOXOFTICE BookinGuide :: Mav 28, 1979 5117
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