Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 146

I 3 i a I I r. i I I I I i I) I 1 1 1 II II I I I I 1 1 I i 1 1 1 1 I I I i Friday Section 7 Chicago Tribune, Friday, March 18, 1988 I Dominick and Eugene' one big guilt trip By Dave Kehr "Dominick and Eugene" Mractad by Robert M. Young; written by AMn Sargent and Cony Biechman, from a story by Danny Porfirio; pnotographwi by Curtis Clerk; production daaigned by Doug Kroner; edited by Arthur Cobum; music by Travor Jonea; producad by Marvin Mtnoft and Mike Fame. An Orion Pie-turea raliaaa; opana March 18 at the Chaatnut Station and outlying theaters. Running lima: 142.

MPAA rating: PO-13. Strong language. THE CAST Eugana Luciano Ray Liotta Dominick Luciano Tom Hulce Jennifer Reeton Jamie Lee Curtta Dr. Lavlnaon Robarl Levtne LanyHiggina Todd Oral! tis), who, though kind and understanding, threatens to come between Gino and his brother. Nicky has a dog, Fred, who, though kind and understanding, gets hit by a truck.

As slickly directed by Robert M. Young, "Dominick and Eugene" is every bit as icky as its premise would suggest, and possibly even more so. The film is a heavy, clanging guilt machine that functions by systematically exploiting Nicky's handicap. in 'Dominick and "'18 is a delight for all ages.B-judihcrist and It's a must see masaied press stars ageless and wonderful George Burns and screen Charlie Schlatter who's about to give Michael J. Fox a run for his money and his fans." shiriey wer, Detroit free press George Burns can turn the fountain of youth into a eusher of is a witty, sweet-naturea delight, by George!" George Anthony, TORONTO SUN Burns is absolutely Charlie Schlatter is a real find." Jeffrey Lyons, Sneak PreviewsCBS RADIO Movie critic Oj ominick and Eugene I li are 26-year-old uniden- I Jm tical twins.

Dominick (Tom Hulce), or "Nicky" as he's called, is the elder by 12 minutes, and is also, as he puts it, "slow," the consequence of a fall he suffered as a child. Eugene (Ray Liotta), or "Gino," loves and protects his vulnerable, sweet-tempered brother; Nicky, for his part, works as a garbage man, earning the money to put Gino through medical school Gino has a girlfriend, Jennifer (Jamie Lee Cur- Fl AHFHTY ONLY TOMORROW NORRIDGE NorrxJga 462 9000 Arlington Scene after scene exists only to -evoke pity and shame: Nicky is abused by the neighborhood toughs, Nicky is neglected by his otherwise wildly devoted brother, Nicky is made to get drunk by an irresponsible co-worker (Todd Graff), Nicky is made to witness a nasty bit of child abuse that makes him wonder, "Why is everybody always so mad at everybody?" The film isn't at all interested in Nicky's very real predicament and how he rises above it; instead, he's used as a sentimental symbol of innocence in a hopelessly corrupt world. "They were so bad to Jesus," Nicky observes after saying bis prayers, thus establishing the grandiose context in which the screenwriters, Alvin Sargent and Corey Blechman, want the character to be viewed. Liotta, whose mocking, driven heavy was the revelation of Jonathan Demme's "Something Wild," and Curtis, a perennially undervalued performer, do bring a few glimmers of personal conviction to their wholly artificial roles. But Hulce, best known as the maddening young Mozart in "Amadeus," couldn be more brazen in his begging for the audience's love and devotion.

With his shy, goofy smile and his wide. wondering eyes, he seems to be auditioning for the next Bcnji film. Dave Kchr's star guide A thumbnail guide to Tribune movie critic Dave Kchr's ratings of current 61ms Hop and Gtory -Hrjuaekeaping "Houae of Game Tittle NauM" Tha Menchunen Cancfrtne- D0A Tha Houaa on Carrol Street Tha Last Ernparor" Maaquamrla Mrjonetnjek Tha PiiMjaaa BrWn Tha Sarpant and tw Rainbow -WaaStraar "Action jaefcaon "Au Rmt Laa Enfant Qood Mnrrang. VMnarn" "Off Urn' "SohorJ OaM Sfw Having Baby -Shoot to Kr OwfaJsiiuCharinata Throw Momma from ffw Trafn Tha Urfjoamrna Uana of Bmng VloaVaraa- Ray Liotta and Tom Hulce play twins FORO CITY EAST Chicago SW M2-IS3e laughed "'18 newcomer "Only "George Ewumt Producm IRVING 1 NEW WORLD PICTLHES iw a WALTER COBLENZ GEORGE BURNS 18 AGAIN! SurrCHARLESCHLATTTR TONY ROBERTS ANITA MORRIS RED BUTTONS Ouri rUNmd MICHAEL JAFFE DirtctoroirwvSTEPHENRKATZ Musk BILLY GOLDENBERG lifc UtI iwv PAT II ONE PERFORMANCE GOLF GLEN Nita "fro-11 00 RIDGE CINEMA Hghla 394-1434 Xkrrtnr and Eupana" EdrM Mjrnny Raw "Moving.