6B The Cedar Rapids Gazette: Mon., Dec. 21, 1981 Movie review 'Reds' is a fascinating epic "Reds," with Warren Beatty and Diane Keaton. A Paramount Picture. At the Westdale Mall Cinema 1 Theatre. Rating: PG — Parental guidance suggested.

The two questions most asked by people who haven't seen "Reds" are how does it compare to "Dr. Zhivago," and isn't it really too long? First of all, though they're both love stories set during the Russian revolution, "Reds" is to Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters in 'Pennies' Zhivago" like steak is to cotton candy. And second, yes, it does drag a little at times 'Pennies' a great idea fter the intermission. But by that time you're so Mike but it doesn 't work Deupree "Pennies from Heaven," with singing a scratchy vintage version of Gazette Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters. "I Never Have to Dream Again." stalt writer A Herbert Roi'S production, released Despite all the music and dance, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. At the things go from bad to worse as involved that you don't worry about when you're Stage 1 Theatre. Arthur gets involved with prostitu­ going to get home. Bating: R — Restricted, under 17 tion and, finally, murder. "Reds" is at once a fascinating look at one of must be accompanied by parent or Don't be misled by the presence modern history's most important events, an adult guardian. of Steve Martin. "Pennies from intimate study of a man obsessed with an ideal, Heaven" isn't a comedy and it isn't the chronicle of a woman's fight to retain her "Pennies from Heaven" is like supposed to be one. It's best individuality and, above all, a powerful love beer-flavored ice cream. It may have described as tragic drama punc­ story. sounded like a pretty good idea to tuated with frothy music and gay l No wonder it lasts 3 /z hours. Fortunately, it's somebody, but it sure didn't turn out dance routines. This is apparently as good as it is long. that way. intended to show the sharp contrast The movie follows John Reed, the politically Diane Keaton and Warren Beatty star in The movie tells the tale of sheet between real life and the life people radical journalist whose "Ten Days That Shook music salesman Arthur Parker dream of living. The World" is perhaps the best-known account of (Steve Martin), who lives in Chicago Uh huh. Well, if they were simply the Russian revolution, from his meeting with Reed and Bryant finally seem to come to an The movie looks at the beginnings of the far during the Depression. He's un­ trying to look ridiculous, they had a Louise Bryant in 1915 to his death. understanding amid the excitement of the left wing in the U.S. without making many happy with his job and with his great idea. Otherwise, forget it. Reed is a dashing, idealistic journalist who's Bolshevik takeover, as Reed makes the final mmmm judgments about who was right and who was frigid wife, but — Why it doesn't work will be left written about Pancho Villa in Mexico and is just crossover from observer to participant, but a lot wrong. It just says this is what happened, this is he finds some for somebody else to worry about, more tests lie ahead for their love. Movie back from observing the beginnings of the war in how these people saw it and this is what they did solace in the but one problem is unquestionably Europe. He's committed to what he perceives as The movie takes Reed and Bryant from an about it. songs he sells. Review the casting of Martin. Most of the the cause of the working man. insulated, almost Victorian Portland society, to a Adding to the personalization is the use of He daydreams a humor that made him a star is based Bryant is a woman trying to earn respect — Greenwich Village of artists and intellectuals people dubbed "the witnesses" by Beatty, who lot, fantasizing on his voice, his mannerisms, that both from herself and from others — as an artist fiercely committed to their view of an emerging produced, directed and co-wrote the film. The himself and the people in his life as sappy smile and the manic look in and writer. She feels stifled in her role as the new class order, to the frozen expanse of Russia witnesses are 32 contemporaries of Reed and participants in gigantic production his eyes. The same voice, manner­ wife of a conservative dentist and when Reed in the midst of political and social upheaval. Bryant. Their comments, recorded in separate numbers based on popular songs. isms, smile and look are here, but offers her a chance to go to New York and rub It's an epic, but it never gets out of hand or interviews, are heard periodically throughout the In these production numbers, the he's playing a straight role. It's elbows with people who share her views, she overpowers you, perhaps because it's so human: film. Sometimes the comments are used to set a characters mouth the words, but the impossible to accept him that way, jumps at it. "Reds" is as good as it is because it is so scene, sometimes to provide background infor­ actual music comes from the origi­ and right to the end you expect him Their relationship is passionate and eventually positively jammed with real people. mation, but they always reinforce the fact that nal recordings. It's disconcerting at to suddenly pop up with an arrow confusing to both of them, as they have a hard Diane Keaton is marvelous as Bryant, and this is a story about real people. best to see Arthur open his mouth, through his head. time reconciling their feelings with their convic­ both Warren Beatty as Reed and Maureen It's a very effective device, but it isn't without yet hear the voice of Connie Boswell Mike Deupree tions. Bryant's efforts to be taken seriously as a Stapleton as Emma Goldman do some of their its drawbacks. Although the witnesses are listed writer seem at a permanent dead end, and Reed's best work. Even the minor characters crackle in the opening credits, they aren't identified Dear Abby intellectual friends ignore her opinions, treating with personality in their brief appearances, when they appear on the screen to make their her simply as "Jack's new girl." She also finds whether an editor played by veteran actor Gene remarks, and few people will be able to identify a herself left alone a great deal, as Reed's zeal for Hackman or a pompous, somewhat lecherous majority of them. You can find yourself the worker's cause takes him to a constant series publisher played by author George Plimpton. wondering who's doing the talking instead of Readers resent of meetings, conventions and rallies. Events that changed the course of history — a listening to what they say. Left to herself, she becomes involved with world war, the Russian revolution, the emerg­ The film's PG rating seems proper, despite another member of their circle, Eugene O'Neill ence of the Communist Party in America — are some language that usually guarantees an R (Jack Nicholson), and soon it's Reed's turn to presented in terms of how they were perceived rating. Because of its subject matter and length, charity donation gifts have his principles, this time on the subject of by and affected a few individuals, not the whole this isn't a movie for kids. Dear Abby: If I get another one of free love, tested. world. those Christmas cards stating that instead of a Christmas gift, a gift in my name has been sent to such-and- such a charity, I will blow my top! Abigail What is so generous about taking a gift from one person in order to Van Buren Reynolds film is 'standard issue' give to another? I give to charities Universal Press Syndicate "Sharky's Machine," with Burt myself and do not need anyone so forth. It's easy to lose count of the collection of oddballs that includes contributing to the charity of his Reynolds. Released by Orion Pic­ tures. At the Stage 2 Theatre. number of deaths, as a matter of Bernie Casey as an intellectual choice in my name. People who subtle way to break up a party. The fact, and "Sharky's Machine" is who's into Zen, Brian Keith as a Rating: R — Restricted, under 17 inform their friends that they are gracious host patiently allows a probably the bloodiest thing Rey­ good-natured guy who's primarily must be accompanied by parent or giving to charity instead of sending party to die a natural death. nolds has ever done. There is a bit of interested in eating, Charles Durn- adult guardian. Christmas gifts are either too cheap • * * sex, some quips, and a satisfying ing as the captain who just wants to or too lazy to do both. — DIS­ Dear Abby: As a physician, "Sharky's Machine" is standard ending. make it to retirement, and Richard GUSTED WITH SELFISHNESS deputy coroner and licensed medical issue from the Burt Reynolds assem­ People who don't like Burt Rey­ Libertini as Shaky's high school pal. examiner, I applaud your suggestion bly line, a movie that won't create nolds aren't going to go to "Sharky's Miss Ward is lovely, and Henry Dear Disgusted: Now let's hear it that the members of the parole any waves at Academy Award time Machine." Those who do like him Silva makes a fine psychotic killer, from another reader who also re­ board should get the same penalty but won't disappoint his many fans, will find the movie a little uneven. which is probably why that's all he sents the "gift-in-your-name" type of as the paroled murderer should he either. There are some awfully overdone ever plays. giving: commit murder again. ——''—Reynolds serious bits, but in each case they're "Sharky's Machine" should bring Dear Abby: I'm writing to com­ seems to have saved by a funny line or brutal I examined the body of a 5-year- Movie in enough money to let Reynolds go plain about the presumptuousness of old girl who had been raped repeat­ settled into a murder. make another Type B. people who make a donation to edly by an adult male, then stabbed Review pattern with his Sharky's crew is a likable, funny THEIR favorite charity and call it a to death. I've seen the battered body movies, which Mike Deupree Christmas present to ME! of an elderly woman who had been fall roughly into In the first place, maybe I'm not robbed, raped and beaten while she three categories. Type A has lots of all that excited about saving the was praying in a church. Recently, a stunts, laughs and good ole boys whales or the poor of Pakistan or young police officer was shot to ("Smokey and the Bandit," Simpson College announces Bangladesh — I'd prefer helping the death by a convicted murderer who "Hooper," "Canr.anball Run"). Type B is the relatively serious stuff that poor American Indians, or the was free on parole. The officer left a Burt Reynolds NAACP, or my local rape crisis wife, pregnant with their first child. contains some real meat and appeals $1 million challenge grant also to non-Reynolds fans ("The center. I think the widow should sue the INDIANOLA (AP) — Robert stimulate a major effort on the part End," "Starting Over"). Type C has If my friends really want to give members of the parole board for the almost immediately gets wind of McBride, president of Simpson Col­ of the college to increase its endow­ the nonconformist tough guy shoot­ me a gift, let them send ME a check support of herself and her child. In some sinister goings-on involving a lege, has announced a $1 million ment from the $7 million presently ing and whupping bad guys by the to forward to MY favorite charity! — my opinion, they were as responsi­ spaced-out killer (Henry Silva), a challenge grant from the Gardner held to $25 million by 1990," dozens ("Shamus," "Hustle," "White FED UP IN FULLERTON ble for her husband's death as the gubernatorial candidate (Earl Holli- and Florence Call Cowles Founda­ McBride said. • * * man who pulled the trigger. Lightning."). man), a high-priced call girl (Rachel tion. Dear Abby: My boss gave a "6:30 I have suggested to lawyers and This is a Type C. Ward) and a master criminal (Vitto- The grant is to be given over a to 8:30" Christmas cocktail party for judges that if the members of the Reynolds plays Sgt. Tom Sharky, rio Gassman). five-year period. The condition at­ CEDAR RAPIDS — MARION about 60 people at his home. He had parole board were held responsible a narcotics cop who gets demoted to Sharky gathers an unlikely strike tached to the grant is that it be FIRE • POLICE • RESCUE invited 14 of those guests to stay for for the actions of those whom they the vice squad because his style of force of fellow officers who have matched on a two-to-one basis from dinner. (I had been invited to both.) parole, they wouldn't be so quick to operation, though effective, isn't in somehow fallen into disfavor with gifts to the college for endowments AMBULANCE When it was time for dinner, the return murderers to society. Some line with departmental standards. higher-ups, and they decide to tackle from other sources. host wanted to get rid of the cocktail agree, but others insist that no one Although he's presumably going to the case by themselves. "This is the single largest gift EMERGENCY crowd, so he flashed the lights off would be willing to serve on a parole spend the rest of his days chasing There follows a great deal of commitment ever made to Simpson dial 911 arid on several times as a signal that board under such circumstances. hookers off street corners, Sharky shooting, stabbing, beating up and by a private foundation and will the cocktail party was over! This is not true. I would be willing! -I thought that was in poor taste. 1 urge you, Dear Abby, to use Isn't there a more subtle way to your influence to establish the 10 years ago SHOP MON.-TUES.-WED. 'til 9! break up a party? — EMBAR­ legislation to make this possible. I RASSED would be happy to assist you. Please Austrian diplomat Dramatic withhold my name. — CON­ Kurt Waldheim was chosen U.N. secretary- "Dear Embarrassed: There is no CERNED IN GEORGIA general. 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