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Statesman Journal from Salem, Oregon • Page 58

Publication:
Statesman Journali
Location:
Salem, Oregon
Issue Date:
Page:
58
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

Friday, October 4, 1996 PAGE 6 Statesman Journal SCREENING ROOM Character actor Tucci steps out for a 'Big Night' and Rossellini are amoi From the choreographed rou Driver and Rossellini are among Tucci plays "Big Night" Stars: Stanley Tucci, Tony Sha-loub, Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossellini. Directors: Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott. Where: Salem Centre Movie-land. Rating: for profanity, adult situations. the younger brother, the impeccable host and chief worrier at a small New Jersey restaurant, The Paradise, that is attempting to serve real the strong female performers.

Tucci, working with his co-director and fellow actor Campbell Scott, crafts scenes that are near perfection, as when Scott as a smooth Cadillac salesman coaches the broke Tucci into a meaningless test ride that speaks volumes about Tucci's dreams. Even the making and consuming of an omelet the film's emotionally-telling climax is full of nuance and meaning in this scrumptious film. tines of the kitchen a testimony to the art of fine cooking to the swinging music of Prima, "Big Night" is a thoughtful, artful appreciation of life in all its complexities and frustrations. Tucci is both sleek and a little sad, never seeing the downside of the commercial success he so craves, and Shalhoub evokes both comedy and pathos as the less talkative but equally emotive brother. Holm is hilarious as the manic, coarse restaurateur, and Tucci: 'Murder One' actor carries his own film By Ron Cowan The Statesman Journal As a movie about a meal, a very big and obviously scrumptious meal, "Big Night" is a cinematic feast.

Stanley Tucci, the co-writer, co-director and co-star of "Big Night," may be dealing with questions of art vs. commerce, but he's also crafted a film that speaks lovingly of food, relationships and period atmosphere. The bittersweet story obviously evokes an element of Tucci's own career. A gifted character actor, in films such as "The Pelican Brief," "Kiss of Death" and television's "Murder One" (he played Richard Cross), he has been typecast as the Mafia-type heavy, and has had to write his own movie to surmount the commercial bent of his acting opportunities. The handsome Tucci shows he has the stuff to carry a film, although "Big Night" is a showcase for an ensemble cast that ranges from Tony Shalhoub of "Wings" to Isabella Rossellini and Ian Holm the latter improbably cast as an Italian.

Internet Services Italian food risotto instead of greasy spaghetti and meatballs to a meager clientele. Shalhoub is the older brother and cook, who is frequently infuriated at his ignorant clientele. Tucci, by contrast, is willing to compromise art for success. With the bank ready to foreclose, Tucci turns to his friendly rival, the flamboyant Holm, who runs the bustling Italian Grotto, where the cliched menu happily satisfies customers who know no better. Holm promises to deliver celebrity musician Louis Prima and his entourage for a "big night" that could put Tucci's res- taurant on the map.

"Big Night" revolves around that fabulous dinner, a dizzy evening of schmoozing, eating and celebrating that is highlighted by a ravishing dish called Timpano a drumlike concoction of pasta, cheese, meats, vegetables and eggs. You'll gain weight just watching this amazingly sumptuous meal. But the glory of this slim movie is in the details, from the tender but fractious relationship of the two brothers to Tucci's troubled relationships with his girlfriend, a sleek Minnie Driver, and Holm's cynical mistress, Rossellini. What's Your email address? CyberHighway of Salem 3964 Center St. Suite 362-0005 email salemcyberhighway.net www www.salem.cyberhighway.net Low-budget film has 'Heavy' message "Heavy" Stars: Liv Tyler, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Deborah Harry, Shelley Winters.

Writer-director: James Mangold. Where: Salem Cinema. Rating: Not rated but contains strong language. Friday, Oct. 4th, 4 to 7 p.m.

(members only) Saturday, Oct. 5th, 10 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6th, 12 to 4:30 p.m. (bag day) Located in the ANDERSON ROOM of the SALEM PUBLIC LIBRARY All Paperbacks .50 All Hardbacks $1.00 fNt Friends of the Salem Public Library 585 Liberty Street S.E.

362-1755 There's a major disruption for Pruitt when his mother collapses and has to be rushed to the hospital. Unable to deal with the crisis, he can't even clear away her breakfast remains and fails to tell anyone for weeks when she dies. There is a resolution here amid the conflicts and disappointments, but Mangold even as he carefully delineates the stifling world that Pruitt lives in doesn't overplay the positive. As we see at the end, this is a slow and difficult growth for Pruitt, a character so quietly engaging that his size becomes as unimportant as it should be. As the tender bond develops between these two drastically dissimilar souls, Tyler must cope with her part-time mechanic boyfriend, Evan Dando, who resents Tyler's new friends and is a drag on her life.

Hour id I xftx CAPITAL By Ron Cowan The Statesman Journal "Heavy" lives up to its name in one way the weight of its hero but not in terms of its gentle, thoughtful approach to its subject. Writer-director James Mangold's low-budget charmer is a slowly unfolding but engrossing examination of how its overweight hero, played winningly by Pruitt Taylor Vance, learns to find his own voice in the world. "Heavy" won the grand jury prize for best direction at the Sundance Film Festival and is notable for the minimalist but humanistic style that Mangold brings to the subject. Mangold often eschews dialogue, especially for Pruitt, instead detailing his story with gestures, glances and touches. There is no sex, violence or cliched action or plot twists, just a sense that you're listening in on real life.

There's a lot arrayed against Vince, an introverted pizza chef, who labors under the watchful eye of his interfering mother, Shelley Winters in a surprisingly understated performance. Vince's interest is piqued when an inexperienced and lovely new waitress, Liv Tyler, shows up to join the crew. That includes Deborah Harry as a battle-scared waitress and barfly Joe Grifasi, who often ends up in Harry's bed. Change is not the mode here, from the graffiti in the lady's room to the staff, and only Pruitt, the. shy giant, reaches out to Tyler.

MANOR. Dim Community "WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED List Davis Family I Farm Every Saturday Sunday in October 10am 6pm U-PICK PUMPKINS SWEET CORN VEGETABLES TO KNOW ABOUT RETIREMENT LIVING" Tuesday 2 p.m. October 8 1996 FLOWERING KALE MUMS mf CIDER APPLES To Albany 'f Afternoon Tea Social with refreshments-Open to the community RSVP 1955 Dallas Hwy, NW 362-4101 4380 NE HWY20 Corvallis DAVIS FAMILY FARM rhAirm' farm Hot" (541) 752-0697 4 To CwvbWu Jtjam opm I'm th.

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