The Gazette from Montreal, Quebec, Canada • 27

THE GAZETTE, MONTREAL, FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1994 3 Four Weddings like an offering of champagne JOHN GRIFFIN GAZETTE MOVIE CRITIC There's even a star-like Andie MacDowell. HI JjJ: (lv. That they meet and this film takes place entirely around a series of four weddings and one funeral -sug- fAvX Where others may be thinking about settling down, he's obsessed with getting out gracefully. As played with all the disarming charm of an Anglican choir boy, golden retriever and distracted academic by the suddenly ubiquitous Hugh Grant (Bitter Moon, next week's Sirens), Charles is the archetypal Englishman. He could not say what was in his heart if that heart were breaking.

Just not done, you know. He can, however, make plenty of quite scintillating observations about a myriad of subjects at some distance from his own psyche. And so can the other glittering actors in an blithely gifted ensemble that includes the deaf James Fleet, Falstaffian Simon Callow, noble Scot John Hannah, ice goddess Kristin Scott Thomas and sidesplitting Rowan Atkinson. gests events are largely, if not entirely, festive, and demand that everyone be, as it uprp "nn" fnr most depressed prisoner of this endless winter. Yes, Four Weddings and a Funeral is the bubbly of British ensemble pieces a souffle of airy perfection that is no more ashamed by its mandate to entertain than it is to lay on a little emotional lumber when the occasion warrants.

If you want comparisons, you might think of The Big Chill meeting Peter's Friends. I choose not to think of anything at all, but simply to enjoy. Charles is a dishevelled sweetheart with a sweet punky roommate named Scarlett (Charlotte Coleman). Their comic tic is tardiness; they're so late for everything that life-of-the party Garcth (Callow) intones "there's greatness in their lateness." Like everyone in this movie but "They're writing songs of love, but not for mc." These lines from the classic Gershwin tune deftly sum up the central theme of Mike Newell's deliriously entertaining new British romantic comedy Four Weddings and a Funeral. A group of smart, funny, supportive, rich and good-looking friends much like yours find themselves getting married off at a frightening rate of knots.

This is not a bad thing, but it is a little disconcerting to Charles. Charles is a "serial monogamist," a man who goes from one deeply faithful relationship to another without being able to commit so much as his spoken feelings, much less a decision on a ring. i 5 i err- I jj 'jSj the occasion. MacDowell Thanks to a Tart-tongued clever, insightful and screamingly droll script by Richard Curtis, and crisp big-budget production on no budget at all by Enchanted April's Newell, the film rises like good champagne to tickle the brain pan of even the Charles (Hugh Grant) prepares for another wedding ceremony In Gramercy Pictures' Four Weddings and a Funeral. Gareth and his long-time boyfriend 5T Matthew (Hannah), they re part ot the thirtysomething generation that found jobs instead of love.

hr I.Mir.ll.lllMlli.hlMfMiMH.Mlli.llll But that doesn stop them trom talking about it. ft MESSES These listings cover the period of April 8th to 14th And it doesn stop Charles from A A I running into it like a rabbit into headlights when he meets tart-tongued American Carrie (MacDowell) at the glorious rural marriage of his best friends. LATCHO DROM (Q) THX DOLBY 1246-2 S5-505-7 20- 36 jt "T2r THE LANDSCAPES AR LUSH, AND THE LOVERS ARE LUSCI0US. Hill Utowniirin, 1 HE At tl A HOT-BLOODED HUMAN COMEDY! Naturally, he unable to express D2-JEU DE PUISSANCE (G) DOLBY Daily 1 00-3 05-5 10-7 15-9 THE PIANO (13) DOLBY Daily 1 30-4 004 46-9 15 REMAINS OF THE DAY (0) DOLBY 1 05-3 464 309 OS MRS OOUBTFIRE (01 Da BY Dai 4 1 5-7 00 A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (01 DOLBY Daily 1 46-9 25 SIX DEOREES OF SEPARATION (O) DOLBY Evening. 9 06 Fn-Sal-Sun-Tue-vVed-Thu 1 06-5 06 Mon 1 05 ACE VENTURA PET DETECTIVE (G) DOLBY Fn-Sat-Son-Tue-Weo-Thu 7 05 Fn-Sat-Sun-Mon-Tue-Weo-Tnu 3 OS NO SMOKING 0 DOLBY Daily 12 203 004 00-9 WHMMIIKIIeW i.i.M.in,,...,;";;;.

himself, even after she makes more than the first move at a pub much later that night. Jn1 Min. THE NEW X)KK DMli MAJOR LEAOUC 2 (01 DOLBY 12 16-2 35-4 56-7 15-8 36 Late Show FrSat 11 60 02-MK3HTY DUCKS (G) DOLBY 1210-2 30-446-7 004 20 Late Snow Fr-Set 11 46 MAJOR LEAGUE 2 (01 DOLBY 12 00-2 16-4 304 46-9 16 WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE (O) DOLBY 12 30-3 35-C 35-800 Late Show ft-Set 11 35 THE REF (13) DOLBY 12 46-2 46-5 00-7 20-925 Lata Show Fn-Sat 11 25 THUMBELINA (G) OOLBY 1240-2 404 40-7 05 OPERATION HUDSUCKER (0) DOLBY Evenngi 9 10 Lata Show Fn-Sat 11 30 THE PERFECT DESSERT In fact, he reduced to quoting TT FOR THOSE WHO DIDN GET THEIR S3 the "words of David Cassidy when FILL OF ROMANTIC FANTASY WITH he was still with the Partridge Fam um: WAitn run Lnutumit ily I think I love you, when he finally gets around to expressing his feelings. Too late, of course. THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS (13) OOLBY 12 46-3 304 30-9 20 Lata Show Fn-Sat 11 55 JIMMY HOLLYWOOD (0) OOLBY 12 00-2 15-4 304 464 10 lat-j Show Fn-Sat 11 30 NAKED OUN 33 113 (0) DOLBY 1 00-3 00-5 00-7 004 00 lateShowFn-Satuoo BELLE EPOQUE (13l DOLBY 12 10-2 30-4 60-7 10-9 30 Lata Show Fn-Satl145 HUDSUCKER PROXY (G) OOLBY 12 06-2 20-4 40-7 20-9 40 Late Show Fn-Sat 11 60 Belle Four Weddings bristles with pop culture signposts, but they're only LA VIE SEXUELLE OES BELOES (13) DOLBY 1 200 304 30-7 30-9 35 BELLE EPOQUE (13.) DOLBY 12 06-2 30-4 407 15-9 25 NEUF MOtS (G) DOLBY 12 20-2 40-4 50-7 10-9 30 LAMAISONAUXESPR1TS1) 12 40-3 204 20-9 00 SMOKING DOLBY 12 00-3 004 20-9 10 'AGENT FAIT LA FARCE 31 113 (0) DOLBY 1 00-3 1 05 20-7 20-9 25 LA LECON BE PIANO (13-1 DOLBY 1 10-3 50 30-9 15 props for its old-fashioned agenda.

This is a movie about love and ma JL2. Epoque I is. romance, set in the most romantic of locations, where everyone gets to wear their best clothes and spout their brightest prose: a place where every goblet has a silver lining and L'AOENT FAIT LA FARCE 33 113 (G) DOLBY Evening, 7 00-900 Set-Sun 1 10-3 10-5 06 D2-MK3HTY DUCKS (O) OOLBY Evenngt 7 15-9 20 Set-Son 100-305-5 10 MAJOR LEAOUE 2 G) DOLBY Evening 7 20-9 25 Set-Son 105-3105 15 SCHINDLER-S UST (13.) OOLBY Evatangi S00 Set-Sun 2 00 (Tlif of Beauty) In Spanish with English sub-titles all the endings are happy. In French: Irir! Like the best champagne. Four THE REF (13)DOLBV Evenings 9 15 ACE VENTURA PET DETECTIVE (0) DOLBY Evemngs 7 10 Fn-Set-Sun-Tue 12 30-2 40-4 60 MAJOR LEAGUE 2 (O) DOLBY Evenings 7 00-9 20 Fn-Set-Sun-lue 12 00-2 20-4 40 NAKED (161 OOLBY Evenings 915 THUMBELINA (G DOLBY Evenings 7 00 Fn-Sal-Sun-Tue 1 0O3 00-5 00 NAKED OUN 33 113 (0) DOLBY Evenings 7 15-9 30 Fn-Sat Sun-Tue 1245246-4 45 JIMMY HOLLYWOOD (G OOt BY Evenings 7 10-9 35 Fn-Set-Sun-Tue 102 30-4 60 Evening 6 46-9 30 Fn-Sel-Son-Tue i 0O3 50 01-UIOHTY DUCKS (Ql 12 002 20-4 40 THE PIANO (13 DOLBY Evening 1 50-9 30 NAKED GUN 33 113(G) DOLBY Evening! 7 10-920 MAJOR LEAGUE 2 (G) Evening! 7 00-9 10 JIMMY HOLLYWOOD (O) Evenings 7 054 15 Weddings and a Funeral goes to the head quickly.

And like the best champagne, it leaves fizzy memo ries and almost no hangover. WINNER 3 OSCARS Four Weddings and a Funeral is vsssm 221 L'AOENT FAIT LA FARCE 33 1(3 (0) DOLBY Evening, 7 00-9 00 Sal-Sun 1 00-3 00-5 00 MAJOR LEAGUE 2 (0) Evenings 7 06-9 10 Set-Sun 12 46 2 50-4 55 02-JEU OE PUISSANCE (O) Evenings 7 16-9 25 Sal-Sun 12 302 46-5 00 playing at the Egyptien. Parents guide: strong language, sexual in nuendo. mm BEST ACTRESS Holly Hunter nam John, Joel In Frame at OnaptaxOdaon SCHINOLER'S LIST (13) OOLBY Deny 1 06-4 45-8 15 D2-JEU OE PUISSANCE (0) DOLBY Da; 12 10-2 40-5 05-7 25-9 35 Lata Show Sat 1 1 35 THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS (131 DOLBY Deny 2 454 30-9 05 Late Snow Sal 11 25 ACE VENTURA PET DETECTIVE 10) DOLBY 12 45-4 30 02-MIOHTY DUCKS (O) DOLBY Oeitv 12O0-2 3O-4 65-' 15-9 30 'AGENT FAIT LA FARCE 33 13 (O) DOLBY Daily 100-300-500-7 00-9 00 Lata Snow Sat 11 00 JIMMY HOLLYWOOD (O) DOLBY Daly 1 30-4 004 30-9 10 Late Show Sat 1 1 20 LA MAISON AUX E5PWTS (1S DOLBY Dey 12 45-3 304 15-9 05 NEUF MOIS (0) DOLBY Evenings 915 late Show Sal 11 10 THUMBELMA (0) DOLBY Daily 12 302 46-4 45W 00 NAKED OUN 33 113 (O) DOLBY Deny 100-300-5 00-7 00-9 00 Lata Show Sat 11 00 MAJOR LEAGUE 1 (0) OOLBY Daily 12 05-2 30-4 60-7 16-9 40 Late Show Sat 11 55 THREESOME (13.) OOLBY Daily 1 30-3 304 30-7 30-9 30 Late Show Sat 11 30 LA LECON DE PIANO (13) DOLBY Deer 1 103 50440-9 20 Let. Snow Sat 1 1 45 BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS 02 -JEU OE PUISSANCE (G)OOLBY Evenogs 7 16-9 36 12 06-2 30-4 55 late Show Sat 11 50 L'AOENT FAIT LA FARCE S3 10 (0) DOLBY Evenings 70O9 05 Fn-Set-Sun-Tue-Weo 12 45-245-4 46 Late Snow Sat 11 05 BELLE EPOQUE 113.) DOLBY Evenngs 7 05-9 15 Fn-Sat-Sun lue Aeo 12 302 40 5 00 Lata Show Sat 11 25 MAJOR LEAGUE 2(0) DOLBY Evenings 7 109 25 Fn-Set-Sim-Tue-vVea 1226-2 35-4 50 Late Show Sat 11 40 LA MAISON AUX ESPRITS (13) DOLBY Evenings 9 304 20 Fn-Set-Sgn-Tue-Weo 12 16-3 30 let.

Snow Sat 11 50 NAKED OUN 33 113 (G) DOLBY Evenings 7 20-9 30 Fn-Sal-Sun-Tue-YVea 05-3 06-5 06 late Snow Sat 1 1 30 tour together Anna Paquin ASSOCIATED PRESS Holly Hunter Hjrvey Keitel'Sam Neill NEW YORK It was rumored, For Theatre Rental: 848-6153 whispered and now confirmed. The 3f7 jj BllJSlSllE I til rA a lane Camolon film "A HANDSOME, ravishing film filled with understated miracles!" -Janet Maslin, NEW YORK TIMES "A DELIGHT TO LOOK AT." -John Griffin, MONTREAL GAZETTE I TO wmm In English In French "August's latest film is A SUCCESS" "DREQIN'S Dlir.lCLIIlG IS DETTER THAN EVEI1." un, nam nu CUAIIAMTEED. AUDIENCES IVILL BE IN STITCHES." -IMIrWlltlMrtmUnTTi 'NAKED CUII 33V, THE El HAL INSULT' MAY DE THE DEST -Ut. NrHL mill tn "STUPID DOESN'T GET ANY DETTER THAN THIS." httr BrM. lUOITIl in "DREDIN DIJ TARGET AGAIN." -Matthew Hays, MIRROR "I WAS SEDUCED! The House of the Spirits has an old-fashionned "Gone with the Wind" "Dr.

Zhivago" sweep that's rare in contemporary movies!" Thelma Adams, NEW YORK POST "TWO THUMDS UP!" KM I del m-rm Mini 1. 1 nun 1 1 ii i i mnmmmwmmmmmmmtmmmmr-mmmmmi i mmmmmmmmmmmmmmrmmrmm Piano Man and the Rocket Man will tour together. Billy Joel and Elton John announced plans this week for their Face to Face tour, which will kick off July 8 in Philadelphia. "I've wanted to work with Elton for a long time and now it has finally come together for us," Joel said in a statement. "It should be a fantastic show for the audience and great fun for both of us." John said: "I'm looking forward to playing, singing and having a blast!" They plan to open each show together, performing acoustically.

Then each will do a set with their respective bands. The finale will feature both artists and their bands performing together. Brinkley glad she's alive ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES Christie Brinkley considers it a miracle that she survived a helicopter crash last week. Brinkley was bruised when the craft went down during a heli-ski trip in Colorado. She and four other people were stranded on a mountain for hours last Friday.

"It felt as if the mountain was sucking us into it," Brinkley told Entertainment Tonight in a segment for broadcast tonight. "After we crashed, the helicopter just started rocking back and forth, the blade was still swinging around. I came out into the light and it was all sort of slow motion, and all of a sudden I thought 'I'm going to die right No one died in the crash. Jackson mulling Newport home ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWPORT, R.I. Michael Jackson's culture tour continued this week with a private visit to five historic mansions.

The pop star bought $450 worth of books on Newport at a gift shop in one of the homes. And he asked if any of the mansions were for sale, said Paul Miller, associate curator of the Newport Preservation mXMl, 1 I I I I I .1 1 wswm i mi ran PICTURES mm ADAV10 ZUCXER raouniOH NAKEO GUI 3311 1 FINAL INSULT liSUE NIELSEN PRt33UJI HUSH GEORGE KENNEDY "Mm Dnnn mn nmnn TiirYro i onorm i.rtu JERRY ZUCKEn UIO JIM ABRAHAMS UNO GIL NETTIR ri nn iiui i unnu iuuu.ii nuuuii luwun WEISS MO GAWD ZUCKER 1M SEGAL VERS.CNTJUmQUJJ,lAN BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION mi mm mmmm mmmi mmm mmmn HOUSE omiE SPIRITS HI RND LICHINCI PREiENTS A HI IiY BU I Al C.l I fftNCH VEfON: I AGENT FAIT LA FAHCE 33 13. I'lNSUTE FINA1E "1 BOOK FAIR OLD, RARE, USED BOOKS 8 EPHEMERA APRIL 17, 1994 10:00 A.U.-4:00 P.M. BAMABAINN S. BURLINGTON, VERMONT 12 MILE OFP 1-89, EXIT HE ADMISSION: 12.00 INFORMATION: (802) 878-8737 53 mmw prn mm mmr fKHCH VEIVSION: MAISON AUX ESPfWS mitMirx mtm mm mim-m wm.

WfJli(LiaiMefJelefcrf.