Town and Country is the end result of one of the most troubled and infamous Hollywood productions in recent history. Having been delayed for at least three years now, its ultimate release marks the end of a long and winding road. How does this filmmaker's catharsis play on its audience though? Does it live up the ideals of a job well done or does the end product simply feed the flames of plaguing bad buzz? Well, I'll probably say neither.
T&C is the story of two middle-of-the-road couples; the middle-aged silver anniversary generally bored/complacent type. It is at this point in their stifled (or is it horny?) lives that the men- and the women- begin to entertain extracurricular thoughts that do not necessarily include the company of their spouses. Along the way, as a result, we are treated to affairs, trists, divorces, some wackos, a costume party, and Chartlon Heston making an ass out of himself. That's right. Old Hollywood came out in tails for this comedy probably not worth their time or effort (time and effort of coordinating this big name cast being exactly what delayed production for so long). Among the movie's cast are Warren Beatty, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, Charlton Heston, Natasha Kinski, and two wild cards from the smaller screen, Jenna Elfman and Garry Shandling.
All the cast are good as they ought to be, but many should probably be ashamed. Shandling, hilarious everywhere but in the movies it seems (What Planet Are You From?, anyone?) here plays an awkward latent homosexuality story angle for laughs(?) Diane Keaton, while always charming, is still playing Annie Hall after all these years. During the aforementioned costume party, I turned to my mother who was with me and whispered, "Mom...that's screen legend Warren Beatty in that polar bear suit." And let's hope I never have to say that again....although with Christopher Walken hoofing it up for Fatboy Slim, who knows what to expect from the respected anymore? Perhaps the coup de grace, though, as I had mentioned involves Ben Hur himself, Mr. Charlton Heston. Not only does he let himself go as a gun-toting psycho (this is going to make great crosspromotion) but his foul-mouthed exchanges with a boozed-up, wheelchair-bound wife made even me blush. By the time she called Moses a muffdiver, I could have died right there. Now forever added in my mind to his many hyphenates- actor-director-muffdiver Charlton Heston. Unbelievable. Oh, yeah, and Andie MacDowell's in this one too, but I'll be nice and leave it at that.One actress I hope never to think poorly of, though, is Goldie Hawn. Still as radiant, talented, and ridicuously beautiful as ever. And, ohhhh yes, does she ever get naked for big Beatty. Recently in the A&E Biography spotlight, Goldie has tried and tried to escape comedy and has indeed proven herself in heartfelt dramatic roles, but damned if she isn't an absolute gem when she tickles your funny bone. Here's hoping she never strays too far from the genre in which she is truly gifted.
To sum up- I'm making this one quick before my mood turn undeservedly foul- Town & Country is ridiculous. Whether that's all good or all bad is in one's perception. For me, I thought it was good enough and would surely recommend this anybody as a harmless matinee. Certainly it's something a little more evenflow to check out before we're all bombarded by summer movie excess. Truth be told, the first half is wonderfully, cheerily paced and scripted, and only in the rambling second half is where things become questionable. Is T&C bad? No. It's not a masterpiece, though, either. So, enjoy. Go for the polar bear suit, stay for the end of Chuck Heston's career. It's a trip.
By Dan
$5.00/$10.00
(like I said, it's good for a matinee) |
