WHAT HAPPENS LATER (2023)

November 3, 2023

Greetings again from the darkness. Meg Ryan will forever be linked to her popular and beloved romantic comedies, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY (1989) and SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (1989). She wore the crown of “America’s Sweetheart” for years, and then after years of hard work, she pumped the breaks on her acting career, resurfacing periodically for a TV or film role, often in support. In 2015 she took her first shot at directing with ITHACA, in which she also starred, and now after an 8 year big screen absence, she’s back as writer-director-producer and star of a film that harkens back much closer to her rom-com roots.

A massive winter storm rolls in – a Bomb Cyclone with Snow Thunder. This grounds all planes  at a regional airport (it was filmed at the airport near Bentonville, Arkansas) where ex-lovers Willa (Meg Ryan) and Bill (David Duchovny) bump into each other for the first time since they broke up twenty-five years ago. Initial awkward small talk soon transitions into ‘large’ talk, and the two fall into rhythmic banter befitting of two who were at one time very close. He’s a stockbroker on the way to Austin to meet with his demanding, much younger boss, and she’s a wellness practitioner on her way to Boston. For emphasis, he wears a dark business suit and necktie, while she sports clunky boots and bouncy hair.

What follows is a passive-aggressive twist on Richard Linklater’s “Before” trilogy. In the industry, this is called a two-hander, as there are only two speaking parts – not counting the slyly intrusive airport PA announcer (credited as Hal Liggett?) – and the two characters carry on a conversation for most of the run time. Ms. Ryan wrote the script with Steven Dietz and Kirk Lynn and based it on Dietz’s play, “Shooting Star.” It’s a dialogue heavy approach designed to let us get to know the characters, but also allow Willa and Bill to catch up as they re-live moments from the past. Some of this is painful for them, and some of it provides previously lacking clarity. Memories and quirks pop up, and the manner in which they are addressed speaks volumes to how close these two once were. We learn their secrets as they each peel back layers.

Tom Petty’s lyrics, “Most of the things I worry about never happen anyway” are utilized to effect here, and missed connections has multiple meanings. With Meg Ryan and David Duchovny past the 60 year mark, this isn’t one of the cutesy rom-coms we’ve grown accustomed to with twenty-somethings. These are grown-ups who once shared dreams and are now taking stock of life and reality. Even the commentary on society is head-on rather than cleverly disguised as is common for this genre. Director Ryan and cinematographer Bartosz Nalazek insert more than a few falling snowflake shots, and the point is driven home about just how much has occurred since these two became a couple while attending the University of Wisconsin. As a writer, director, and actor, Meg Ryan certainly is in her wheelhouse here, and fittingly, she ends with a “For Nora” tribute to her late friend and mentor, Nora Ephron.

Opens in theaters on November 3, 2023

WATCH THE TRAILER

1 Comment | Drama, Rom-Com | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

ITHACA (2016)

September 21, 2016

ithaca Greetings again from the darkness. The source material is the 1943 novel “The Human Comedy” from Pulitzer Prize winning writer William Saroyan; and it’s the directorial debut of Meg Ryan, the one-time ‘America’s Sweetheart’ who reunites with her Sleepless in Seattle co-star Tom Hanks (in a ghostly cameo). Due to these juicy ingredients, we can be excused if our expectations are a bit high.

As a viewer, it’s easy to relate to the emotions of young Homer McCauley (Alex Neustaedter) as his messenger job expedites the disillusionment that often accompanies adulthood. While Homer becomes more disenchanted the more he learns, we feel let down with each successive sequence. The adapted screenplay from Eric Jendresen never picks a direction, and instead teases us with numerous pieces from the novel with little follow through on any.

Homer’s dad (a very brief Tom Hanks apparition) has recently passed, and with his older brother Marcus (Jack Quaid, son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid) off at war, Homer takes it upon himself to secure a job to help support his saintly and melancholy mother (Meg Ryan), his older sister Bess (Christine Nelson) and his little brother Ulysses (an energetic Spencer Howell). He pledges to be the best bicycle messenger ever when hired at the local telegraph company run by Tom Spangler (Hamish Linklater) and old-timer (grumpy and frequently inebriated) Willie (Sam Shepard).

Being that it’s war time, some of the telegraphs Homer must deliver are the worst possible news for the parents on the receiving end. As the film progresses, we see the light slowly go out of Homer’s once bright eyes. The accelerated coming-of-age aspect is at its best when his father-figure Willie brusquely tells him “You are 14 years old and you’re a man! I don’t know who made you that way.” It’s the most poignant moment of the film and the closest we get to a real theme.

The letters Homer receives from older brother Marcus contribute to his understanding of the world and the reading of the letters serves the purpose of story narration. The film is nostalgic and idealistic, but so unfocused that we are never able to fully connect with any of the characters. We are caught off guard when Homer proclaims his mother as the nicest person ever, although she has offered even less guidance than Forrest Gump’s mom. Ithaca, Ulysses, and Homer … we can’t miss the mythology ties, as well as the importance of home, but it always feels like something is missing.

In 1943, six time Oscar nominee Clarence Brown made a movie based on this same novel, and the cast included Mickey Rooney, Frank Morgan, Donna Reid and Van Johnson. In this new version, John Mellencamp provides the musical score, and Ms. Ryan has stated that the novel helped her work through a difficult time in her personal life. She’s likely to get more opportunities to direct; her first outing is easy enough to watch, but just as easy to forget.

watch the trailer:

 

4 Comments | Drama | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

TOP GUN (1986) revisited

February 13, 2013

top gun1 “I feel the need … the need for SPEED!”  A recent one week run of the re-mastered 3D IMAX version of Top Gun provided the opportunity to re-evaluate the 1986 film that catapulted Tom Cruise to the highest level of movie stardom.  It seems my initial reactions 27 years ago were spot on.  The best parts are still exhilarating and pure joy to watch, while the worst parts are still cringe-inducing and torturous to sit through.

Testosterone overload, hyper-competitiveness, and Type-A personalities were perfectly displayed thanks to the cocky actors that made up the Navy pilot training class: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, Rick Rossovich, Barry Tubb, Tim Robbins and Whip Hubley.  Whether these guys are prepping for flight, ruling the skies, or peacocking afterwards, they are a blast to watch and perfectly capture that familiar pilot-persona. The Navy cooperated with the filmmakers … producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, and director Tony Scott … to ensure the top gun2training was realistic and the flight sequences were breath-taking.  Additionally, some high-powered and experienced Navy pilots were brought in as consultants.

Tom Cruise was considered an up-and-coming actor when cast as “Maverick”. His 1983 film Risky Business brought him much notice … especially for dancing in his tighty-whities … but this is the role that vaulted him into leading man status.  What’s interesting is that many critics pegged Val Kilmer (Iceman) as the future star.  While Mr. Kilmer has had a very impressive career, it certainly doesn’t compare to that of Mr. Cruise.  The female lead went to Kelly McGillis (Charlie), whose star was rising quickly after Reuben, Reuben (1983) and Witness (1985).  Instead of this being her breakout, that label instead went to Meg Ryan (Goose’s wife) who turned a minor role into almost two decades of cute blonde roles in box office favorites.

top gun5 The sequences featuring the fighter jets and pilots in action are some of the best ever captured on film. We never get the feeling that we are being tricked with slick editing or special effects.  On the contrary, it feels like we are in the cockpit and involved in extended dogfights. Another superb element comes courtesy of the two Commanders featured.  James Tolkan plays the cigar chomping Commander of the USS Enterprise, while Tom Skerritt plays Viper, the super pilot and Commander of NAS Miramar’s Fightertown, USA … better known as Top Gun. The real life Viper, Pete Pettigrew, is seen on screen as Charlie’s date Perry in the first bar scene (just after Maverick sings “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling”).

Over the years, there has been much analysis, speculation and even spoofs concerning the supposed homo-erotic undertones … especially the infamous volleyball game. At the time, no one would have guessed that the real sexual complexity and confusion would come courtesy of a Kelly McGillis confession twenty years later.

top gun3 The “worst” parts referred to earlier include the post-production add-on scenes filmed to allow for a wider audience (interpretation: to appeal to more women). The love scene between Cruise and McGillis is filmed in the shadows and made even more painful by the blasting of Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away”.  The shadows were necessary due to hair style and color changes of the leads since production had wrapped weeks before. That scene and the elevator scene were added because test audiences were disappointed the sparks between Cruise and McGillis had previously dead-ended. Those scenes combined with the “Miami Vice” feel of many of the non-pilot sequences, and the Kenny Loggins “Danger Zone” agony, provide the Jekyll and Hyde feel that wreaks havoc on the viewer.

top gun4 The changes translated into major profits for the filmmakers as Top Gun became the highest-grossing film of the year. It was nominated for four Academy Awards and won for Best Song (“Take My Breath Away”).  Although composer Harold Faltermeyer was not nominated for his Top Gun score, he was nominated the following year for his song “Shakedown” from Beverly Hills Cop II.  Simpson and Bruckheimer were the Super Producers of the 1980’s with other hits like Flashdance and Beverly Hills Cop.  Mr. Simpson died in 1996 at age 52, and Bruckheimer has gone on to produce Pearl Harbor, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, and TV series such as “The Amazing Race” and “CSI: Miami”.  He is consistently rated as one of the most powerful people in Hollywood. Director Tony Scott mastered his domain in the Action-Thriller genre with Crimson Tide, Man on Fire, and Unstoppable. Mr. Scott, who is the brother of director Ridley Scott, died in 2012.

Should you feel “the need for speed”, Top Gun is a great call … except when it’s not.

**NOTE: It’s difficult to imagine anyone but Tom Cruise as Maverick, but the role was first offered to others, reportedly including Michael J Fox and Scott Baio. Oh my.

**NOTE: Rick Rossovich who plays Slider is the brother of Tim Rossovich. Tim was a Pro Bowl Linebacker for Philadelphia Eagles, Tom Selleck’s roommate at USC, and had a nice acting career as a movie and TV tough guy.

**NOTE: The Navy capitalized on the popularity of the film by setting up recruiting tables at the largest theatres where the movie was showing.

watch Tom Cruise (Maverick) put his best move on Kelly McGillis (Charlie):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVNWSEX-WqU

 

1 Comment | Action, Articles, Classics, Drama, Thriller | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson