|
|
Ten Best List for the Year 1991
- Black Robe -- After arriving in 17th-century New France, a Jesuit missionary (Lothaire Bluteau), guided by Algonquins, endures both a dangerous journey through the Canadian wilderness and an Iroquois attack to reach a distant Huron mission. Only towards the end does director Bruce Beresford manage to put the cultural clash between the humorless priest and the unbelieving Native Americans in a moving spiritual context. Some brief but graphic violence and several shadowy sexual encounters with momentary nudity. A-III-adults (R) 1991
- Boyz N the Hood -- Drugs, gang warfare and broken homes take their toll on a determined black youth (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) and two brothers (Ice Cube and Morris Chestnut) who are his closest friends in a violent South Central Los Angeles neighborhood. Writer-director John Singleton's first feature is a harrowing and powerful pro-family, anti-drug statement, though frequently undermined by the preachy tone of its heavy-handed dialogue. Excessive rough language and gutter talk, repeated mindless violence, drug and alcohol abuse and brief bedroom shots with flashes of nudity. A-IV-adults with reservations (R) 1991
- City of Hope -- Powerful drama shows how corruption in a fictional New Jersey city affects a wide spectrum of individuals, including an easily compromised contractor (Tony Lo Bianco), his estranged son (Vincent Spano), a victimized teacher (Bill Raymond) and an earnest councilman (Joe Morton). Writer-director John Sayles' cynical, realistic movie ties up many divergent, finely-acted stories in a shattering conclusion that resonates with irony. Brief violence, frequent rough language and a marital bedroom scene with a flash of nudity. A-III-adults (R) 1991
- The Double Life of Veronique -- Two young women, one Polish and one French, are strangely linked by identical looks, musical talents and frail hearts. Director Krzystof Kieslowski's lyrical tale of unexplained spiritual bonding is given considerable emotional force by Irene Jacob's ethereal and haunting performance as the two Veroniques. Subtitles. A few restrained scenes of sexual encounters with some nudity. A-III-adults (R) 1991
- The Fisher King -- Extravagant fantasy about a guilt-ridden former talk show host (Jeff Bridges) and his feisty live-in love (Mercedes Ruehl) who try to help a tragically widowed homeless man (Robin Williams) win over a new love (Amanda Plummer). Director Terry Gilliams's exhuberant dramatic comedy is a boldly imagined and beautifully cast fable of redemption that lurches out of control as it nears its sentimental wrap-up. Momentary gory violence, a live-in relationship, frequent rough language and fleeting, shadowy nudity. A-III-adults (R) 1991
- Little Man Tate -- Poignant drama concerns a lonely, genius-level 7-year-old (Adam Hann-Byrd) torn between his love for his unmarried, barmaid mom (Jodie Foster) and the intellectgual stimulation offered by a book-bound psychologist (Dianne Wiest) who takes him away from home. Also directed by Foster, it's an affecting story about the emotional vs. intellectual needs of one gifted child but cops out with a typical Hollywood happy ending. Brief bedroom scene. A-II-adults and adolescents (PG) 1991
- My Father's Glory -- At the turn of the century, a young lad from Marseilles (Julien Ciamaca) spends an idyllic summer with his family in rustic Provence learning about nature's wonders from a local boy (Joris Molinas) and about life from his schoolteacher father (Philippe Caubere). Directed by Yves Robert and based on the reminiscenes of French author Marcel Pagnol, the result is a lyrical, conflict-free tribute to family life in a simpler, bygone era. Subtitles. Brief shot of nude boys. A-I-general patronage (G) 1991
- My Mother's Castle -- Continuing the story of "My Father's Glory," a young boy (Julien Ciamaca) in pre-World War I Marseilles has his first case of puppy love and his schoolteacher father (Philippe Caubere) risks his job by sneaking the family across private property to shorten their miles-long walk to a summer weekend cottage in Provence. French author Marcel Pagnol's joyous childhood memories are beautifully realized under Yves Robert's direction which casts a friendly eye on its characters' well-observed foibles. Subtitles. Father's ambivalent view of atheism. A-II-adults and adolescents (PG) 1991
- Strangers in Good Company -- On a day's outing in the Quebec countryside, a group of elderly women find themselves stranded when their bus breaks down and they have to spend the night in an abandoned cottage. By placing non-actors in this bare-bones situation, Canadian director Cynthia Scott achieves a convincing portrait of seven aged but vital individuals -- among them, several grandmothers, a nun, a lesbian and a Mohawk Indian matriarch -- who pass the time exchanging reminiscences of their past lives and sharing common concerns about their present circumstances. Simple yet compelling evocation of the mixed blessings of old age, though young children may find some of it confusing. A-II-adults and adolescents (PG) 1991
- Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken -- During the Great Depression, a blind 15-year-old orphan (Gabrielle Anwar) convinces a crusty stunt-show owner (Cliff Robertson) that she can ride a speeding stallion and leap into a pool of water as their new horse diver -- from 40 feet above Atlantic City's famed Steel Pier. Director Steve Miner's spunky heroine overcomes various obstacles and a harrowing tragedy in an inspiring, fact-based movie that shimmers in sun-drenched cinematography. Fine family fare. A-I-general patronage (G) 1991
|