Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • 55

THE HARTFORD COURANT; Friday, January 12, 1990 E5 Tandy, Freeman enchant in film version of 'Miss Daisy1 Film review DRIVING MISS DAISY, Directed by Bruce Beresford; screenplay by Alfred Uhry, based on his play; director ol photography, Peter James; music composed by Hans Zimmer; production designer, Bruno Rubeo; edited by Mark Warner; produced by Richard 0. Zanuck and Lili Finl Zanuck; executive producer, David Brown. A Warner Bros, release of a Zanuck Co. production, opening today at Showcase Cinemas, East Hartford. Running time: 99 minutes.

Hoke Colburn Morgan Freeman Daisy Werthan Jessica Tandy Boolie Werthan DanAykroyd Florlne Werthan Pattl Lupone Idella Esther Rolle Excellent; Very Good; Good; Fair; ft Poor 11 IS term, Iff I r- 1 -ff 1 fat -tw-v Warner Bros. moment when she grips his dark, large hand in her pale, mottled, small one is one of the most touching moments of the film as it is in the play. The very detail of the shot in the film gives the moment a special depth, however, and so it is with many of the other close-ups in the elegiac, muted camera work by Peter James. James and Beresford undoubtedly with the aid of Uhry, who grew up in Atlanta also fill in the world of Miss Daisy and Hoke, By MALCOLM L. JOHNSON Courant Film Critic With Julie Harris and Brock Peters live in New Haven and Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman on the screen in first-run theaters throughout the state, "Driving Miss Daisy" presents a rare opportunity for serious lovers of theater and film.

Having both treatments to see in close proximity provides an embarrassment of riches although Miss Daisy would not countenance people thinking of her as rich. Juxtaposing the film and the play provides an unusual chance to compare how theater and film work. Both Ron Lagomarsino's touring production and Bruce Beresford's film are exemplary, but they present quite different aspects of the same work. As Alfred Uhry adapted his Pulitzer Prize-winning play to the screen himself apparently with considerable artistic freedom the film "opens up" the play with admirable sensitivity and intelligence. More than the play, the film focuses tightly on the process of aging.

Tandy turned 80 while making "Driving Miss Daisy," so she does not require wigs and thick artificial makeup to take the retired, Southern Jewish schoolteacher from the ages of 72 to 97, although her real appearance is much like Daisy Werthan in her early 70s. Freeman, a mere slip of a youth at 52, must gray his thick, full hair, but he has been playing Hoke Colburn so long (he originated the part off-Broadway in 1987) that his performance echoes the Alan Jay Lerner lyrics: It's second nature to him now, like breathing out and breathing in. ALL Limited Time Only Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman turn in Oscar-caliber performances in Bruce Beresford's "Driving Miss Daisy." Taking deep breaths from time to time is one of the elements in Freeman's characterization of Hoke, a middle-aged, out-of-work, bright-and-able Georgia black man hired by Miss Daisy's son after the 72-year-old Daisy wrecks her shiny new Chrysler. Miss Daisy does not want a chauffeur and resents having a new servant about the house and losing her freedom to drive. Thus she treats Hoke with genteel hostility that borders on rudeness where he must be unfailingly polite, albeit with occasional ironies.

An elegant, reserved, sometimes biting Tandy and a warm, dignified, wryly humorous Freeman play together wonderfully throughout the film in performances sure to win Oscar nominations. Dan Aykroyd shows his more serious side in a low-key, slightly absurd, affable performance as Miss Daisy's assimilated, cautious, successful son; and Esther Rolle and Patti Lupone ably satisfy YOU CAN EAT our curiosity about two important characters not seen in the play: Miss Daisy's beloved maid (Rolle), and her social-climbing daughter-in-law (Lupone). Yet it is the interplay between the starchy, self-disciplined, opinionated Miss Daisy and the easy-going and open Hoke that form the central conflict of both the play and the film. The character who must change, despite her age, is Daisy. She gradually unbends and comes to regard her chauffeur as her best friend.

The SIRLOIN STEAK ai PER PERSON Your grill's covered with snow, you're out of propane and "it's cold We'll do the grilling while you keep warm. Order our fresh hand cut top sirloin and right now you can re-order as many as you can eat. All our complete dinners include: Unlimited SHRIMP and salad bar Potato or Rice Choice of Busch Beer, Inglenook wines or soda Hartford restaurant offering wine dinner Hartford's L'Am6ricain res- taurant teams up with Slocum Sons distributors for "A Winter Night With Burgundy" wine dinner. The six-course menu, created by L'Americain's executive chef Chris Pardue, reads as follows: Grilled Maine Rock Shrimp with 1988 Auxey Dur- esses, Joseph Drouhin; Pheas- ant and Golden Chanterelles with 1986 Mercurey, "Clos de Myglands," J. Faiveley; Norwegian Salmon in Lettuce Packettes with 1986 Beaune Clos des Mouches, Chanson Pere Fil; Tangerine Duckling with 1986 Chassagne Mon-trachet, L.

Latour; Peppered Loin of Venison (with persimmon custard and a chestnut game sauce) with 1985 Pom-mard, Domaine Parent; and Almond Glazed Pears with Ros6 Billecart-Salmon. The dinner, which has seat-ings at 7 and 8 p.m., costs $65 per person, not including tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 525-6500. L'Ameri-cain is at 2 Hartford Square West. BARGAIN MATINEES SAT.

SUN. MON. "THRILLING!" Mk harl Wilmington, tOS ANGELES TIMES "A GENIUNE TRIUMPH!" VInceni Caiiby. THF, NP YORK TIMES wm mi DAILY 6:50 9:30 SAT SUN MON MATS 1:00 3:45 SHOWN EVENINGS ONLY 7:30 9:45 PG DAILY 7:00 9:40 SAT SUN MON MATS 1:30 4:10 THE LITTLE Mermmd (gJkrWfF PICTUMS DAILY 6:00 SAT SUN MON MATS 2:00 4:00 CRIMES AND Ejg MISDEMEANORS DAILY 7:15 9:50 SAT SUN MON MATS 1:15 3:50 lili 25 HAZARD AVENUE ENFIELD, CT 06062 (203) 74S-2222 BORN ON FOURTH OF JULY (R) 3:50 6:50 9:45 SKI PATROL (PG) 4:10 7:30 9:55 WAR OF THE ROSES (R) 3:40 7:00 9:30 TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE III (R) 8:00 10:00 STEEL MAGNOLIAS (pg) 4:00 6:45 9:20 THE LITTLE MERMAID (g 2:40 4:40 6:20 CHRISTMAS VACATION (PG13) 9:40 which is only hinted at in the play. It's a little surprising to see how grand Miss Daisy's house is: a solid, large, wood-paneled structure with wrought-iron exterior details, especially if one placed any credence in her repeated claims that she wasn't rich.

The scenes in the car also work somewhat better in the film. There is also highly effective use of a speech by Martin Luther King which plays a significant role in the play, too, but which is only discussed, not heard. King's speech, about the passive whites of good will who failed to support the "dream," brings a fine turn in the relationship between Miss Daisy and Hoke. After the scene at a United Jewish Appeal banquet honoring King, the emotional bond between the Jewish woman and black man intensifies, turning a quietly humorous film into a deeply moving one. Although it's a bit languid at times (the one-act play moves more smoothly and quickly), the film is a quality production reminiscent of another small play about aging that became a hit on film, "On Golden Pond." Uhry's play and screenplay, loosely based on his memories of his grandmother, has a deeper message, of course, and seeing one "Driving Miss Daisy" preferably both would be a fine way to celebrate Dr.

King's birthday. RatedPG, this film contains a few mild profanities and a full-bladder-on-the-road crisis, bat nothing objectionable to the most circumspect of parents. Small children may not cotton to this slow-moving film for adults, however. MSTMCTID STARTS TODAY STARTS TODAY BEEFSTEAKCHflRLO Better Quality No Greater Value NEW II CifiEMA'lEATHERFACE: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 720 Silver Lane East Hartford, CT 568-2948 E. Hartford location onlv Not good with any other promotion no snaring SHOWCASE VlPjillflMd CONTINUOUS SHOWS FRI.

SAT. SUN. No SCHOEHFEIDTSHIB SIRAWNpIoSIJAMES CARTER bJIM MANZIE -PAT REGAN HEHEL.TOBE H0OPERSrOAl SCHOW ENGELMAN-JEFF BURR MUSIC NEW LINE CINEMA SHOWCASE CINEMAS 1 INTERSTATE 84 EXIT S8 1ILVEH LANE EAtT HARTFORD (HIGHEST RATING) Always' Is As Close To Perfect As A Movie Clay W.rnick. US MAGAZINE "Always' Is In The Same League With Close Encounters' And -Jim Emerson. KNIGHT DIDDER "Steven Spielberg's Finest Divid Kthi.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE Fri. Sat. Sunday INTERSTATE 84 EXIT 58 EAST HARTFORD BARGAIN MATINEE DAILY FIRST AFT. SHOW ONLY $3.50 HOLIDAYS LATE SHOWS FRI. SAT.

OR DISCOUNT COUPONS ACCEPTED 7:30 9:55 12:15 DRIVING MISS HO 4:10 7:20 DAISY IBS MllhU VACATION B231 JOO 10:20 12:20 AFFAIRS El 10:10 12:20 568-8810 BARGAIN MATINEE DAILY FIRST SHOW CONT. SHOWS FRI. SAT.SUN.AHOL. LATE SHOWS FRI. loews Bristol 8 MtK4jM 'i'll 'tlill lit illiW'lin IWDII: SHOWN AT SHOWCASE 1 1 5 3:30 5:25 7:45 9:40 1 1 :45 $3.50 A SAT.

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LATE SHOWS FRI. TANGO CASH (R) TANOO CASH LB llll LIATHERFACI El his no 71 40 IMS ALWAYS 3:45 7:10 (totws Bristol 8 12:05 2:25 4:55 7:30 10:00 KOFustBuxtrrtD 4:30 7:40 10:00 4:55 1M BACK TO THE FUTURE II (PG) 4:20 7:20 9:50 XMSSMSSSB.