Queens Logic

Sentimental, nostalgic and supposedly authentic portray of some people and their relations with great music (Joe Jackson et al.) around a wedding under Hellgate Bridge in Queens. Anger, frustration and ideals reach the surface as we get to know these figures. One of them gives the advice: 'Wanna be happy for the rest of your life? Fall in love with your wife.' Probably the best advice a young man whose dreams don't come together can get.

Tom Waits was two years later in Altman's 'Short Cuts' that also deals with several relationships and has no plot. Short Cuts however is more solid and intelligent. This movie is not exceptional in any way, but I've seen it three times already because I think it's a nice movie with good acting about a day in the lives of some young people and that makes me feel good.

The chosen music tells about half of the story. That's a very good choice of director Rash, especially since there is no real plot. SO, if you're a person who needs a plot, then don't watch this movie. In that case try 'Chinatown' instead, or 'the Maltese Falcon'. Or kick in another open door :)

I don't understand why so few people like this film. But then again I also liked Jade (Friedkin, 1995) and Last Seduction (Dahl, 1994): plotfilms with suspense. Maybe it's just because I like common denominator Linda Fiorentino very much. There is no challenging intellectual material in Queens Logic.

8/10

Steve Rash's "Queens Logic" isn't a movie that most people will know, but it's worth seeing. The focus is a group of friends who get together in Astoria, New York, for one's upcoming wedding. Over the course of the movie, the characters reveal some surprising things about themselves, and at least one scene is bound to get your heart racing.

It's not a great movie by any stretch, further weakened by the fact that the director later helmed straight-to-DVD sequels to "American Pie", "Bring It On" and "Road Trip". Nonetheless, it's a fun movie that truly gives one a sense of New York. It's the sort of movie that you'll enjoy.

About to be married and suffering from cold feet, a thirtysomething Queens resident spends a wild weekend with his childhood friends who have come back to town for his bachelor party in this comedy-drama blend directed by Steve Rash. The film's most promising asset is its ensemble cast, which boasts names such as Joe Mantegna (of 'House of Games' fame), John Malkovich, Kevin Bacon and Jamie Lee Curtis, and memorable moments abound as the chums take to cruising around town in the nude and as Curtis unleashes an unexpected violent side. The film does not entirely succeed in the character department though; taken as a whole, the chums are interesting with their "wounded animals" morose bachelor party, but Mantegna as the most vivacious of the bunch is the only individual who we get to know in depth. The others have their moments, but the film never really concentrates on Bacon's pretence of being a successful actor or Malkovich grappling with the fact that his current boyfriend does not accept his old friends. Curiously enough, Ken Olin is the one friend that we learn the least about and he is the one whose second thoughts on getting married drive the film! Mantegna at least gets a decent character to work with and he has an excellent bit in which he tries to capture youthful former glory on a Queens bridge. Is the film really meant to be primarily about him though? 'Queens Logic' is certainly a pleasant enough way to pass the time, but whether one warms to the film or not may depend on how one relates to the loosely fleshed out characters.

Queens Logic is an excellently written film about a bunch of late thirty somethings who are still trying to figure out how to get their act together. I worry that this film is only going to be accepted locally (i.e. New York, Long Island target audience) when it really has a multitude of universal levels to it. The acting was brilliant--absolutely brilliant, from Kevin Bacon to Linda Fiorentino, Joe Mantegna and John Malkevich. The actors really understood these complex characters (Malkevich is SO good once again it's scary). And the writing and direction could not have been better for these roles. Congratulations for writing a script with so many thoughtful, intelligent and original characters which reflect so well on the time and all of our struggles to figure out what it is that makes us happy--and to do it so humorously as well. This is one of those rare very smart and very funny films. Like I said though, people who are not necessarily from the New York area may not buy or believe these characters, but I guarantee you there are so many people like them. Guarantee it. They're great people with same problems as everyone else. They just choose to deal with them on their own terms and in the best format they know how: with Queens logic.

Having viewed and enjoyed this movie years ago (and not having seen it offered since), I was excited to see it featured in my new Peacock subscription.

Unbelievably talented cast is highlighted by Joe Montegna's charming, toothpick-sporting portrayal of one of the Queens childhood buddies getting together for Ken Olin's character's upcoming marriage. Very entertaining and somewhat offbeat but I loved every minute of it. The infectious and diverse soundtrack ranges from The Delfonics to Mott the Hoople and offers other rarely heard tracks. And no one can sport a mullet like Kevin Bacon in his early years! 😁