What a nice change: a movie I first saw as a wee lad and remembering liking then, only to revisit it decades later and liking it more (for the opposite reaction, see PLAYING FOR KEEPS).
The movie popped up last Saturday afternoon on pay cable so I decided to why not see if it holds up, instead of watching a block of "Scrubs" on Comedy Central again. My main memory was the fabulous production design and costuming, like back then the movie was set in an alternative '80s galaxy with cute convertibles and kitchy-cool high heels.
I enjoyed it before, but this time I literally ROARED with laughter! I guess I paid more attention to the acting this time 'cause I sure didn't recall John Malkovich being so absolutely heedlessly hilarious playing an automaton trying to pass as human. Watch his body language, the way he walks and processes the world around him. Comedy ain't easy, but the Malk is committed and focused, and really brings Ulysses to (pseudo) life. Bravo, you idiosyncratic weirdo.
Ann Magnuson is terrific too - she's easily believable as a smart PR drone with an effed up love life. Why didn't she become a big star? I remember her on the show "Anything But Love" and there again she clearly exuded competent business acumen. Where you been, girl?
There is one character in MMR that was difficult to watch when I was 13, one that remains an uncomfortable viewing experience today. That's Laurie Metcalf's desperate single gal looking for love with the wrong man. The humiliation she endures during the mall date wasn't funny then, and it's not funny now. I dunno, I just felt, and feel, awful for her; she's so forlorn and sad it's a bit depressing - I had to turn away. Poor thing.
But anyway, I had to have the DVD to show my mate - we watched SYNECDOCHE NEW YORK last week and neither of us were able to make a lick of sense of it, but then the mate revealed he's never seen ADAPTATION, so by the powers of the Philadelphia Library we're watching it this weekend. (How could he have never seen it? He's a big Tilda Swinton fan!) It's Malkovich Week at Casa de Ogorek (I wonder if he's seen PLACES IN THE HEART or IN THE LINE OF FIRE). Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich.
One last thing: my newest DVD reads, "Ann Magnuson (PANIC ROOM)"...really? That's what FOX/MGM hopes to remind us of who she is? Well, I guess that'd be less embarrassing than "Ann Magnuson (GLITTER)"...
