Film review: 'Talk to Me'
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Cinematic phone seduction has come a long way since Rock Hudson and Doris Day first shared a split screen together; "Talk to Me" is yet another exploration of that modern phenomenon, phone sex. More coherent than "Girl 6" and less gimmicky than "Denise Calls Up", the film is a highly uneven but intermittently entertaining work that reveals a filmmaker with a flair for exploring contemporary urban sensibilities. George Esguerra's debut feature recently premiered at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival and is already headed for the video bins.
The story depicts the burgeoning relationship between Betty (Cheryl Clifford), turning 30 with no serious relationship in sight, and Arnold (Peter Welch), a nice-guy architect with a variety of minor physical ailments, including a tendency to produce excess saliva (he walks down the street spitting like an old man). Betty and Arnold meet by accident on a chat line; before long they enter a private "room" and begin to have quite graphic and detailed verbal encounters; the film doesn't shy away from full-frontal nudity and depictions of masturbation.
After a while, they decide to meet in person, with predictably disastrous results. Although they find each other quite attractive, their mutual nervousness and Arnold's physical tics keep getting in the way. Inevitably, though, they find their way to love and happiness.
The film works best as a romantic comedy, although its explicitness might actually be a turn-off for some audiences. It fares less well as a psychological drama; Betty's decision to adopt her mother's persona for her phone chats leads to unconvincing and laborious discussions about truth, identity, betrayal, etc. The mix between the sometimes slapstick physical comedy and such harder-edged material is often awkwardly handled.
"Talk to Me" does have a real feel for its urban milieu, and much of the dialogue is witty and perceptive. Its two stars also offer appealing performances. Although the film lacks Hollywood slickness or indie grit -- which somewhat inhibits its commercial prospects -- it marks the debut of a filmmaker with promise.
TALK TO ME
Pug Films Inc.
Director-producer:George Esguerra
Writers:George Esguerra, Robert Foulkes
Director of photography:Randy Drummond
Editor:Tom McArdle
Music:David McLary
Color/stereo
Cast:
Betty Cole:Cheryl Clifford
Arnold Dowling:Peter Welch
Ronnie Goldstein:Elizabeth Landis
Michael Dowling:Gary Navicoff
Jerry:Rick Poli
Running time -- 87 minutes
No MPAA rating...
The story depicts the burgeoning relationship between Betty (Cheryl Clifford), turning 30 with no serious relationship in sight, and Arnold (Peter Welch), a nice-guy architect with a variety of minor physical ailments, including a tendency to produce excess saliva (he walks down the street spitting like an old man). Betty and Arnold meet by accident on a chat line; before long they enter a private "room" and begin to have quite graphic and detailed verbal encounters; the film doesn't shy away from full-frontal nudity and depictions of masturbation.
After a while, they decide to meet in person, with predictably disastrous results. Although they find each other quite attractive, their mutual nervousness and Arnold's physical tics keep getting in the way. Inevitably, though, they find their way to love and happiness.
The film works best as a romantic comedy, although its explicitness might actually be a turn-off for some audiences. It fares less well as a psychological drama; Betty's decision to adopt her mother's persona for her phone chats leads to unconvincing and laborious discussions about truth, identity, betrayal, etc. The mix between the sometimes slapstick physical comedy and such harder-edged material is often awkwardly handled.
"Talk to Me" does have a real feel for its urban milieu, and much of the dialogue is witty and perceptive. Its two stars also offer appealing performances. Although the film lacks Hollywood slickness or indie grit -- which somewhat inhibits its commercial prospects -- it marks the debut of a filmmaker with promise.
TALK TO ME
Pug Films Inc.
Director-producer:George Esguerra
Writers:George Esguerra, Robert Foulkes
Director of photography:Randy Drummond
Editor:Tom McArdle
Music:David McLary
Color/stereo
Cast:
Betty Cole:Cheryl Clifford
Arnold Dowling:Peter Welch
Ronnie Goldstein:Elizabeth Landis
Michael Dowling:Gary Navicoff
Jerry:Rick Poli
Running time -- 87 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 12/4/1996
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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