A Film That Separates the Men from the Boys
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RETRIEVER Highlights DECEMBER 15, 1992 PAGE 7 A film that separates the men from the boys Nicholson shines in Reiner's latest flick Enter several of Hollywood's best twentysome- It is here that A Few Good Men breaks away Pam Hawley thing actors, a plot involving misconduct in the from the stereotype and leaps into a class of its Retriever Editorial Staff U.S. Marines, and America's favorite lunatic, own. Jack Nicholson. Suddenly, you have something Somehow, the cast manages to combine their Someone tackled the establishment. much more intense than feel-good legal mumbo- various talents and experience to create a serious, Now, that someone is dead. jumbo. mature film that focuses on the issues at hand. Someone has to pay for it at the hands You have A Few Good Men, the latest offering Each cast member works to illustrate the horror of the law. of director Rob Reiner. of blind faith pushed to the limit, mankind's Based on the play by Aaron Sorkin, A Few inability to distinguish good from evil, and the If you're anything like me, this sounds like Good Men tells the tale of Daniel Kaffee, a young frightening outcome of obsessive behavior in the a setup for yet another one of those drawn-out Navy lawyer assigned the duty of defending two military. courtroom flicks, where two lawyers engage in servicemen who have been accused of killing a What comes across refreshingly strong in their a battle of one-liners, and eventually decide the fellow Marine. As the case unfolds, Kaffee is interactions is that there are no heroes — not fate of some poor sap wrongly accused of a crime. torn between his urge not to open a can of worms the military, not the law, not the idealistic young You know, the type of movie that mildly amuses and the frightening realization that forces much upstarts or the corrupted establishment. Eve- you, but leaves you wishing you'd waited for stronger than two young Marines were involved ryone in the movie has their goals, ideals and the video. in the murder. All signs point to the killing being beliefs, but no one is entirely altruistic. Dawson the result of a "Code Red," an unsanctioned and Downey (the men accused of murder) did disciplinary action that in this case has been attack Santiago (the serviceman who died), but handed down by Nathan Jessep, an esteemed they did so out of unquestioning obedience to Colonel with an impeccable reputation. their commanding officers, and with no intent Not since Top Gun and Young Guns has a to kill. And as hard as it may be for most of film featured such a well-known, talented cast. us to fathom, Jessep and Kendrick (Nicholson Tom Cruise (Days of Thunder, Top Gun, Born and Sutherland) show how facing death as a part on the Fourth of July) takes the lead as Daniel of everyday life can heartlessly change one's Kaffee, while Demi Moore (St. Elmo's Fire, attitude towards a man whose weaknesses Photo of Tom Cruise by Andy Schwartz © 1992 Castle About Last Night, Ghost) fills the shoes of Lt. threaten the greater good. Rock Entertainment. All rights reserved. Commander Joanne Galloway, the member of Perhaps what is most amazing is that Tom Photos of Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore and Kiefer Kaffee's defense team who refuses to let him take Sutherland by Sidney Baldwin • 1992 Castle Rock Cruise and Demi Moore are together for at least Entertainment. All rights reserved. the easy way out. Kevin Bacon (Footloose, two thirds of the movie—AND THEY NEVER Flatliners) steps in as prosecuting attorney Jack HAVE SEX! They don't even attempt to have Photos are from left top, Ross, and Kiefer Sutherland (The Lost Boys, sex! No one gets naked! to bottom right. Young Guns I & II) portrays the fanatically There are no attempts to use a pottery \« heel Tom Cruise stars as Daniel religious Lt. Jonathan Kendrick. Last, but surely for foreplay. They yell at each other, embarrass Kaffee, a young Navy lawyer not least, Jack Nicholson (The Shining, Batman) each other, and eventually become friends, but suddenly faced with the case of a brings the diabolical Col. Nathan Jessep to life. that's it. The film also stars J.T. Walsh, Kevin Pollack, This strange phenomenon adds to Moore's lifetime. James Marshall and Wolfgang Bodison. success in her portrayal of Joanne Galloway as Jack Nicholson gives a For some strange reason, most movies that a serious, driven woman struggling to get ahead remarkable performance as feature this many big-name actors end up being in the male-dominated military. Colonel Nathan Jessep, the Marine "enjoyable, but somewhat souless. As entertaining Cruise also gives a striking and believable show as they were, Top Gun, Young Guns, and St. as Kaffee, the lawyer who "would rather play officer whose unscrupulous Elmo's Fire were often little more than empty, softball than courtroom hardball." Equally hard- methods of training his men have youthful adventure tales with an overdose of hitting is Kiefer Sutherland's portrayal of Lt. come into question. pretty faces. Kendrick. Watching his religious rantings, all the Demi Moore vibrantly protrays while knowing he helped order the "Code Red" that killed Santiago, is downright scary. And Joann Galloway, the woman who newcomer Wolfgang Bodison creates a very won't let Kaffee take the easy way convincing Downey. Over the course of the trial, out. he evolves from a brainwashed worshiper of Kiefer Sutherland is absolutely military ideals into a sadder but wiser young man with a second chance at life. evil in the sinister role of the Kudos to all of the above, but without a doubt, religious but heartless Lt. the best moments of the film are when Nicholson Jonathan James Kendrick. is on the screen. This man has the psychosis thing down to a tee. And if you thought he was demonic as he sneered "Here's Johnny" in The Shining, wait till you see him on the witness stand. As a matter of fact, the only gripes I had about the film were that a few of the courtroom scenes dragged and there just wasn't enough Nicholson. All in all, A Few Good Men is a hard-hitting film that is, like life, disturbing and thought- The Tutor provoking all at once. It's the homerun in a year full of strike-out films. It's definitely worth a earns hard-won recognition few good hours in the theater. Unless, as Jessep puts it, "You can't handle officially chosen to compete in the presti- the truth." (from TUTOR, page 1) gious Irene Ryan Competition held each year as part of the festival. In this contest, talented announced to the cast that The Tutor had individual actors from colleges and univer- been selected from 150 entries by the sities across the United States compete for adjudicators of the American College top honors. Selection for participation in the Theater Festival as one of the five plays to Irene Ryan Competition is, in itself, a be performed at the regional finals on noteworthy achievement, but for three actors January 15th, in Ithaca, NY. This represents to be named from a single production is a an opportunity for the cast to gain national rare occurrence, indicating an impressive recognition for themselves, the UMBC overall performance by the entire cast. Theater Department, and the University in Our three will join, in the annals of UMBC a forum of peers from the eastern seaboard, Theater history, such past notable Festival and to experience the work of other future participants as Michael Donlan, who is now professionals in their field. appearing with Tom ("Amadeus") Hulce in And that's not all, Three of the cast the Shakespeare Theater's production of members, James Brown-Orleans, John Hamlet, and Crystal "Carly" Chappel, from Hansen. and Bonnie Webster, have been Days of Our Lives. MD Camerata ushers in the holidays at Charleston Chapel uals. In addition, a highlight of the The Maryland Camerata, formed everyone to enjoy." And the price Adele Marley concerts will be the premier of four in 1977, is the choir-in-residence here is right—both concerts are free, Retriever Staff Writer original pieces of music composed at UMBC and the choir-in- although a voluntary donation is by Camerata conductor and Depart- consortium at the National Gallery requested for the Charlestown Final exams may loom forebod- ment of Music chair Samuel Gor- of Art in D.C. The acclaimed Chapel presentation. don. They are Three Carols on ensemble has performed in the ingly in the immediate future (like In other words, let the Camerata's tomorrow), but the Maryland Ancient Texts and Noel, a suite of United States and abroad. They Camerata, UMBC's resident carols for chorus and wind have appeared at many major inter- ethereal voices transport you to a chamber choir, is providing a brief ensemble. national music festivals and have realm beyond piped-in Jingle Bells but sweet reprieve with two holiday It was these pieces of music that performed at the White House, in at some overcrowded mall. The concerts. The first will be tonight at led National Music Publishers to concert for the British Broadcasting Chapel is located at 711 Maiden 8 p.m. in the Charlestown Chapel establish the Samuel Gordon Choral Company, on Spanish and Italian Choice Lane, here in Catonsville, in Catonsville. The Camerata will Series, which will be published and national television, and in some of and the show will begin at 8 p.m.