The title to the movie is key to understanding partly the motivations of the lead character Vera (Neve Campbell, THE COMPANY), a cultured rich girl who lives in a fantastic loft apartment in New York City. Her boyfriend Ford (Frank Weller, BUSINESS OF STRANGERS) is a hustler, who always talks about his next big deal, which is really a figment of his imagination. Ford meets the Italian media mogul Count Tommaso (Dominic Chianese, DOG DAY AFTERNOON), who is smitten with Vera and wants to set up a liaison with her for $100,000.
Vera is a very sexual person, but may be looking for something more than what Ford or even the Count can give her. The fact that she doesn’t need the money makes her acceptance to meet the Count intriguing.
However, the first act of the film is overlong and a bit too self-indulgent. The second act, which is the strongest, is ruined with music that distracts from the solid dialogue. The third act is abrupt and ends too neatly. The film is filled with smart ideas, but seems to be finding them along the way instead of truly understanding them and expressing them.
Director James Toback (TWO GIRLS AND A GUY, BLACK & WHITE) hits on something very intriguing, but the film doesn’t work as a whole. Sometimes stylistic choices get in the way and sometimes the meat of the issues is abandoned too soon. At 81 minutes, the film had the time to explore more. Those who like challenging films might want to check this one out. It can spur debate, which I would have liked the film to tackle on its own.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
