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"What I Really
Grieve Is That I Once
Dated Burt Reynolds!" |
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Directed by Susan
Seidelman - Written by
Susan Seidelman,
Jonathan Brett
Starring Len Cariou,
Joseph Bologna, Brenda
Vaccaro, Dyan Cannon
Distributed by Samuel
Goldwyn - 2006 - 105mins
- Rated PG13 |
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Richard Propes'
Review
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B- |
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Life sure can be a beach... |
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In an era and society
where aging is often treated with disgust, fear and, at the very
least, disrespect, "Boynton Beach Club" is an unusual film.
Remember your shock at seeing the likes of Shirley Jones and Doris
Roberts in the recent "Grandma's Boy?" Sure, it was funny watching
them play lively, active and highly sexed senior citizens. Admit it,
though, it was a little creepy.
"Boynton Beach Club," co-written and directed by Susan Seidelman based
upon a story written by her mother, is a dignified, tender and
easygoing film about a group of older men and women struggling to deal
with life changes, the deaths of spouses, independence and people
around them who just don't understand.
Lacking in the usual condescension and cutesieness that often lurks
underneath these types of films, "Boynton Beach Club" deals in a
fairly straightforward manner with the lives and relationships of its
characters.
The film starts by introducing Marilyn (Brenda Vaccaro), a happily
married woman whose husband clearly adores her. When he leaves for his
morning stroll and is subsequently run over by a careless, cell-phone
yapping neighbor (Renee Taylor), Marilyn's grief hits hard and fast.
She, in turn, is invited by Lois (Dyan Cannon) to attend a meeting of
the Boynton Beach Bereavement Club.
In quick order, we are introduced to the freshly grieving Jack (Len
Cariou), whose wife died a mere 3 1/2 months ago and who is befriended
at the meeting by the club's obvious Casanova, Harry (Joseph Bologna).
Let's be honest. Seidelman has never really fulfilled the potential
she showed in the Madonna vehicle "Desperately Seeking Susan." Films
such as "Smithereens," "She-Devil" and "Cookie" have pretty much
relegated Seidelman to television in recent years. In fact, "Boynton
Beach Club" often plays with a sitcom feel to it resembling a cross
between "Maude" and "The Golden Girls." What makes this particularly
troubling is that a wonderful storyline filled with respectful and
dignified characters is ultimately weighed down by dialogue that
doesn't measure up to its characters. Only Seidelman's occasional
witty one-liners come across with any energy and zest...the rest of
the film is filled with strong actors doing the best they can with
mediocre material.
The film is, ultimately, saved from mediocrity by a cast clearly
invested in the best parts they've seen in years. Dyan Cannon, nearly
70 now, is simply wonderful as a young, vivacious woman who still
sparkles as she begins dating a younger man (an excellent Michael
Nouri). Likewise, Cariou draws out a multi-layered performance as a
widow torn between grief, loneliness and his attraction to the flirty
Sandi (Sally Kellerman). Kellerman, too, offers her strongest
performance in years as a sexy, sensitive searching older woman.
Bologna offers his usual marvelous blend of sensitive and
self-confidence in a character who clearly embraces being a ladies'
man even as he cruises the online personals nearly each and every
night. Vaccaro isn't quite as convincing in portraying the newly
grieving Marilyn, and a scene where she finally confronts the woman
who ran over her husband is underwritten and ineffective.
There are, of course, supporting characters in the film. They are
largely irrelevant, with the exception of Kim Ostrenko as Linda,
Jack's daughter. Ostrenko makes the most of a character who grieves
the loss of her mother, struggles to understand her father and clearly
can't understand her own daughter. It's a sympathetic, effective
performance in a brief supporting role.
With a budget of $2.9 million, "Boynton Beach Club" is also a reminder
of how little Hollywood values its stars of yesteryear. While none of
these performers may have made much making this film, they've
certainly made the most of it. While the film is far from a run-away
hit, it is nearing profitability and should enjoy a solid run on the
arthouse circuit and on DVD.
The film's production values are solid, though I had to chuckle as I
heard the film's opening song, "Love and Marriage," once the theme
song for TV's "Married With Children." That particular song is so
deeply planted in my brain with that irreverent television show that I
had a hard time listening to it in the context of this film.
Otherwise, the film's easygoing, adult pop selections play nicely
within the film's action and mood.
"Boynton Beach Club" is a reminder of both the strengths and
weaknesses of Susan Seidelman. Seidelman has always had a knack for
treating even the most unique characters with a humanity and respect,
however, she continues to have trouble fleshing them out and giving
them decent dialogue. The result is a film that rests almost solely on
the strength of its cast. Fortunately, in this case, the cast is up to
the task. "Boynton Beach Club" is a lightweight yet modestly
entertaining look at life, love and loss and the challenges we so
often face as we get older.
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© Written by Richard Propes -
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