Loucos de Amor

Let's go back in the past;1975:"a woman under the influence",John Cassavetes.Gena Rowlands plays a misfit,we follow her through two phases of her life:before and after the confinement in a mental hospital.The "treatment" she underwent had disastrous results because she tried to commit suicide soon after her release.

Now 1997 "she's so lovely":Gena Rowlands plays -fleetingly- either a shrink or a social worker,I cannot make up my mind.Sean Penn plays a misfit,we follow him through two phases of his life;before and after..well you get the picture.Her,against all odds,the treatment made wonders for Penn's mental health;if we consider the end of the movie.

Alas,Nick Cassavetes is not his father,and we do not find here the overlong,sometimes infuriating scenes ,devoid of any dramatization,close to improvisation ,John Cassavetes' trademark. All what remains is ,save for the bizarre and far-fetched ending , simply mundane.John Travolta is miscast.

The main reason to see this movie :Sean Penn.One of the best actors of his generation,he runs the whole gamut of emotions,and definitely demonstrates how an actor can single-handedly save a movie from mediocrity.He makes us believe in his unbelievable character.

I wish Penn could have his dream come true:Portraying the late Phil Ochs!