17 september 1998		slums of beverly hills: the review what is it with the seventies?
Running news: Day off.		Darin, Fernando, and I went to see Slums of Beverly Hills today. And I say: pretty good, a little unfocused, and stronger in situation and character than in story. In fact, there's not much of a story--girl has nomadic family that moves out of apartments late at night to avoid paying rent, has trouble adjusting. There are some funny bits and some excruciating bits (the endless vibrator scene, part I, for example), but overall I thought it was worthwhile. Darin: "Definitely a movie from the girl's point of view." Fernando: "Yup." We decided (having read nothing about this film) that it had to be autobiographical--who could think up a scenario like this? Darin also thought the idea that this family was poor was an insult to poor people, because this family was getting by, but the details of how excited they get over shag carpeting rang really true for me. I watched Clear and Present Danger today. Not only does this movie have one of the most convoluted plots in history, but it has one of the most cynical endings I've ever seen: Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford), the Acting Head of the CIA, goes to testify before a Senate hearing--that's how we know everything's going to be okay. You'll pardon me if I chuckle into my shirt sleeve at this point.
		Copyright 1998 Diane Patterson Send comments and questions to diane@spies.com