Melodies contrast hilarious antics

Press, 5 December 1985, Page 24

Melodies contrast hilarious antics

THE WOMAN IN RED Gene Wilder, Kelly Le Brock, Gilda Raduer Premiere 86min M 1984 Teddy Pierce (Gene Wilder) is a quiet, amiable advertising executive, happily married to Didi (Judith Ivey), until he catches sight of Charlotte (Kelly Le Brock). He is completely smitten by the unknown woman in the red silk dress. His closest friends, Buddy (Charles Grodin) and Joe (Joseph Bologan), together with Michael (Michael Huddleston), set out to help him become involved with his dream girl and the results are hilarious when he is thwarted at every turn. We will not spoil the fun by revealing more of the plot or the antics. We enjoyed this movie and know that you will, too. The

Stevie Wonder and Dionne Warwick songs add a great deal to the film, particularly the hunting hit “I Just Called to say I Love You.” TIME BANDITS John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, lan Holm Thom EMI 105 min PG 1981 If you have passed this one over on the shelves, take it out the next time you want a good laugh. A fantasy adventure for the family to share, this is a tale which takes us on a journey through time and reveals some extraordinary facets of the characters involved. The Supreme Being (Ralph Richardson) appears like a weary schoolmaster; Robin Hood (John Cleese) could give politicians a lesson in vote-catching; Agamemnon (Sean Connery)

is a delightful father figure; Napoleon (lan Holm) is more than slightly paranoid about his height and the Devil (David Warner) is a ral fusspot who has some really dirty tricks in store. Written by Cleese and Terry Gilliam (who also directed), there are glimpses of pure Monty Python in places, but the whole is designed as fantasy rather than comedy.

BEVERLY HILLS COP Eddie Murphy CIC-Taft 104 min M 1984 (hi fi stereo)

Axel Foley (Murphy) is an enthusiastic police officer on Detroit’s detective force who turns his back on all the rules when his close friend is murdered. In spite of strict orders to the contrary, Axel becomes in-

volved in the case and the trail leads him to the posh surroundings of Beverly Hills. Like a fish out of water, Axel creates chaos in his attempts to solve the case — getting mixed up with international smugglers and drug pedlars in the process. He is helped by a childhood friend (played by Lisa Eilbacher) whose Beverly Hills life is sponsored by a millionaire involved in underworld activities (Steven Berkoff). Judge Reinhold and Ronny Cox play members of the Beverly Hills Police Department who find their ordered lives turned upside down by Axel’s activities and their reactions are a delight. In all, this fast paced action comedy is well deserving of the praise

received and the strong music track adds to the excitement and ambience of a good story line.

MEATBALLS Bill Murray, Harvey Atkin, Kate Lynch CIC-Taft 89min PG 1979

There is absolutely nothing new in this rather infantile tale of life at a Canadian summer camp. Management, campers and staff become involved in silly antics which are more likely to appeal to the junior set. Varying between the gushingly soppy sentimental and downright cruel victimisation, even the talents of Bill Murray as the head counsellor, Tripper, cannot save this one from being an also-ran in the comedy stakes. Of course, if the

sight of an overweight teenager stuffing himself to exploding point with hot dogs is your idea of good fun, you just might find this movie appealing. On the positive side, there is nothing in the film to cause alarm; it is all just too silly to hold the attention of those who appreciate the more subtle type of comedy.