South Florida Sun Sentinel from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Page 63

SUN-SENTINEL, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1982 7D Comedy dies in 'Monty Python Live' Movie review MONTY PYTHON, UVE AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL British comedy group in concert. Directed and produced by Terry Hughes. Rated (coarse language, adult humor, mock violence). By Candice Russell FUmTViter Writer What on earth has happened to Monty Python? The innovative British comedy group that turned absurdity and irreverence into a fine art is clearly in Monty Python, Live at the Hollywood Bowl.

Purely by the standards of concert films, this one is a letdown. Not that there isn't a flurry of activity at the Southern California amphitheater as the troupe changes costumes, shows short films, sings, throws pies, and brings the action into the audience. Still with no props, outfits, or special effects, Richard Pryor in his latest concert film is 100 times funnier. A few years back, the six-man Monty Python couldn't be matched for wackiness and wit. With daring forays into intellectual territory, the troupe relegated itself to cult status rather than a broader appeal.

Then came their films, from the entertaining Monty Python and the Holy Grail in 1975 to the yawner Monty Python's Life of Brian, with each less successful than the one before it. "TlHT i-m I fcA li ml aW.jfe.i1ii ii Am lil' iiiiinnil With outrage the cornerstone of their humor, Monty Python begins a roughly one-hour performance with a tad of unexpected nudity. There are few surprises after that. Typical is a tired sketch as the Pope tongue-lashes Michelangelo for painting The Last Supper with a kangaroo and other alien elements. After exhausting the comic possibilities of lampooning one of the world's greatest art works (though it was da Vinci who did the painting), the sketch drones on.

An Olympiad for weirdos, who participate in bizarre events via a short film, is closer to the Python's comic bite of yore. Another great bit involves two businesses devoted to funny walks and time-limited arguments. Best of all is a philosophical soccer game between Greek and German only it doesn't go far enough. Double entendres, puerile jokes and broad slapstick are the group's standbys, unfortunately. Call it droll or utterly English, Monty Python's brand of humor now is strictly for diehard fans.

In an era when Woody Allen is repeating himself, Mel Brooks is silent, and we're laughing at Clint Eastwood with a monkey, we didn't need an- other comedy corpse. Lawrence Monoson, left, Steve Antin, center, and Joe Rubbo are in hot pursuit of the opposite sex in The Last American Virgin. 'American Virgin' honest and funny Movie review angelic-looking Caren. The awkwardness, frailty and passion of young people is portrayed with uncommon honesty. There isn't a patronizing or false line of dialog in the whole film.

In part that's because of the fine performances Monoson's Gary, a less vulnerable Sal Mineo; Rick, who exudes cool self -assuredness as played by Steve Antin; and the Edwardian-era beauty Caren, portrayed by Diane Franklin, who has a damnable insouciance about her choice of lovers. Another plus is the hard-driving rock score, played loud and at the right moments, provided by such groups as the Police, the Waitresses and Devo. Monoson) form the trio. Sex is constantly on their minds and they try to have it where, when and with whom they can, taking chances and getting what they want. Sometimes hilariously and sometimes sadly, they're not prepared to deal with the consequences.

The genuinely likable kids in this film tangle with a hot-blooded Charo character and catch parental wrath. We're with them all the way. Even when the bottom falls out of a friendship, screenwriter-director Boaz Davidson refrains from casting one boy as villain and the other as hero. Amid the nearly non-stop laughs of this film emerges a touching story of growing up. It happens when Gary falls in love with the.

average teen-ager (American Graffiti) or the mindless toughs (Grease). The three boys who are best friends in The Last American Virgin aren't in the mainstream. Neither nerds nor rah-rah types, they're a little off-center, with their New Wave, punk rocker clothes and slicked-back hair. They have more style and self-awareness than kids we usually see in these films and their relationships have an unmistakable authenticity. Roly-poly David (Joe Rubbo), handsome Rick (Steve Antin) who has no problem with girls, and skinny sensitive Gary (Lawrence (Hi READ THE WANT ADS VyWrTt EARLY EVENING MENU TUESDAY thru FRIDAY 4:30 to 6:30 CLOSED MONDAYS COMPLETE DINNERS SOUP TO NUTS 1701 E.

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OPEN 7 DAYS A VEEK 13 437-2CC0 ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS "KENNY MARTEL CONCEPT HAS IT COVERED IN QUALITY" Marlowe Miami News "BEST SHOW TO HIT AREA IN A LONG TIME" Mascola Ft. Lauderdale Around Town "KENNY MARTEL CONCEPT LIGHTS UP NIGHTCLUB SCENE" Thorton M.B. Sun Reporter "IT'S A BRIGHT, SPLASH OF COLOR AND VITALITY" Recchi Ft. Lauderdale News Sun Sentinel Kenny Mart el Concept "ALL UVE MUSIC CAST OF 2 DIFFERENT SHOWS NIGHTLY Closed Monday 8:00 P.M. Theatre Show 10:30 P.M.

Nightclub Show c4 rt 4 Midnight Show Weekend Only MARCO POLO HOTEL First Show S8.00 plus tax. 192nd Collins Avenue Second Show S5.00 plus tax THE LAST AMERICAN VIRGIN Three teen-age boys search for "sex and girls. With Lawrence Monoson, Steve Antin, Joe Rubbo and Diane Franklin. Written and directed by Boaz Davidson. Rated (sex, nudity, coarse language).

By Candice Russell FilmTheater Writer The Last American Virgin is a remarkable, amusing and true film about growing up. It is also a wonderful surprise in a summer of moviegoing that peaked early and has been petering out ever since. There's a glut of youth movies in area theaters lately, and in memory Porky's looks as much like Fast. Times at Ridgemont High as like Homework. The plots, characters, approaches and resolutions in them are nearly identical and unrealistic.

The Last American Virgin is different. It begins as a raucous comedy yet never laughs maliciously. The adults aren't idiots, pariahs, or unseen forces. And the fat kids aren't simply figures to spoof. It's refreshing for a change to, see a movie that's not about the c.

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