Banshee57

A 'Lifer' Helen Slater fan, I recently took in a viewing of this for the first time in about 15 years. It's nowhere near as dreadfully bad as I remembered, but it's still not that great either. Of course none of this is in any way directed, I feel, at the Super star in question. It's all on account of the technicalities. For a "Hitchcockian" style thriller in the 1990s, it's a good, intriguing script. Young mother, with a child in tow, is at the center of a dangerously deceptive plot. Who and why are to be discovered as the story unfolds.

Just goes to show that pulling off Hitchcock in style, prose, writing, narrative, et al, isn't an easy task, and certainly one most directors, producers, and studios might figure to steer clear of permanently. That means from HERE ON IN. What may have looked terrific on paper hardly translated properly to the camera and screen. The editing is choppy, sloppy, clunky, and slow. Many tense moments were NOT had because of this. It's one thing to draw a good moment tense or otherwise, out with bypassing the option to implement punch ins, hand held camera takes, and other stylistic tropes with which this industry has become accustomed. Director Strathford Hamilton delivers confident shot compositions and an eerie delusional breakdown moment from the fabulous star, but fails to capture any tension with the story or any of the other cast members, save for Harvey Korman.

As another review mentioned, this is a laughably miscast roster. Slater and Korman are the only properly cast players, whilst Alan Thicke, Kelly LeBrock, and Billy Zane have the look and the potential, it's never reached. It's grinding teeth watching them, despite some moments with stamina and nuance. Still, even those moments are where we see this needed improvement, and could have been better with different casting and directing.

Another fail is the done-to-death suspense "bomb-under-the-table" approach. Another trope made most famously by that 'ol maestro, Hitchcock. Perhaps former actor-turned writer Robby Benson and his wife would have fared better with script doctors. Maybe the budget wouldn't cover it. In any case, the lack of tension and suspense ultimate tank what could have been a motion picture experience. The end titles read "Dolby Stereo in Selected Theaters". Really? Because I don't remember this being released theatrically. Wish it was, if only because Helen Slater (Toldja I was a long time fan) gets to have some fun with this role. Sadly, she and Harvey, who have great chemistry together, haven't anything to react off of, making this absolutely bland.

The film makes excellent use of betrayal, sure, but what of the viewers and the professionals who put much time into this project? It's sloppiness surely must have cost it a prime theatrical run. Lots of potential there and it's just a product, slid onto the Movie Time video shelves. That's the ultimate betrayal right there. We are the ultimate victim when we invest our own time and money into these films, with which we get nothing. Okay, that's not true. As I said, Helen Slater delivers a bright, focused, fully developed character and performance. BUT...in all consideration, 'Betrayal of the Dove' might just work better as an industrial reference to bad films. Maybe...

"Our pockets are empty, our cupboards are bare, the bills keep coming, and the drugs are scarce. I need some money, I need some dough, for the things I want, for the things I own. I got Sticky Fingers!"

The title song says it all. "Sticky Fingers" is one of the most hilarious films ever made, and done so with such a style and even a type of elegance that has kept it fresh and funny for every viewing. Two roommates, and best friends Lolly and Hattie are struggling musicians, who can't pull in the attention of anyone past the civilians in Central Park, New York. One day, out of the blue, Diane, Hatties dope dealer, leaves them with a mysterious bag, with important contents inside. It is, yes, almost 1 million dollars. Eventually, everything is crazy, and all mixed up. These two women, who are honest, decent people in the Big Apple, are transformed by the green power slips, into petty, light-headed money grubbers. Soon the cash begins to run on, and the two have a lot of explaining to give Diane...and the mob men who have been watching their every move...

Helen Slater is the not so bright Hattie. She surely gives a new name to the word 'energy' in this one. With her quick and witty dialog, and sharp timing, she is amazing, and always turning on the laugh-machine. Melanie Mayron is the squeaky, nervous Lolly. Mayron is up to par with co-star Slater, giving off the same amount of energy and confusion. Needless to say, Christopher Guest is, as usual, a treat to watch as the love interest of Mayron. Other cast members include Loretta Divine, Eileen Brennan, Carol Kane, and an absolutely outrageous Danitra Vance, who steals the show with her every scene.

The comedy used in this gem is a bright blend of slapstick, and witty stand- up, with honesty as a key factor, bringing in solid goods. It is a shame that this one was never received as well as others in that time. The film is well representative of it's time,(1988) and it's pop-culture wackiness. I suppose it was the "different" factor that says just why the film was little known, if at all. This film does have a different tone, and even more so, it is very general. Sometimes, the smaller, more overlooked things are funny. Sexual lingo and politics are restricted, very restricted. This film is not "Majoy League" or a "National Lampoon" film, or even like any of the "Porkey's" movies either. It stands out completely on it's own, with ultimate originality and sharp comic texture and context, which make it a real riot to watch over and over again!

Naturally, I feel compelled to tell you about my love for an amazing actress named Daphne Zuniga, the main head-liner of this nice show. Years ago, try twelve or thirteen, Zuniga was a young photographer named JoBeth Reynolds on the critically acclaimed drama, "Melrose Place". She was, herself, beautiful, witty, tough, and deep, as well as surrounded by beautiful people all over. Now, in this new drama, "Beautiful People", she returns to the prime-time dial, but with a new breed of beautiful people.

With Jo Reynolds a fond memory, Daphne is now the lovely Lynn Kerr, a newly single mother, trying to provide a warm, sharing, and loving world for her two daughters, portrayed by Torry Devitto and Sarah Foret. Zuniga never fails to satisfy, and as Lynn Kerr, I see new depths to which she can dive into, especially now as other Melrose alumni are resurfacing as well. (Marcia Cross and Doug Savant in "Desperate Housewives"). The two new actresses Foret and Devitto are cute, and even amusing in this family based drama, but obviously, Zuniga helms the project with force and experience to which the younger stars are lucky to work with. The rest of the cast is okay too. Ricky Mabe takes the cake among the co-stars as a non-conformist, straight-forward, honest , but good-hearted outcast, stealing the scene as he spits his words about the truth concerning the "BP'S" (Beautiful People). The show has soft touch for familiar development, but just as the 'beautiful people' it introduces, looks are always deceiving.

I can also say, that this show is truly misplaced on the ABC-Family channel. It does deal with a mother, and her two daughters in their new life, and the concern for safety and love in the big apple, but there are some touchy situations this show touches base with. I have no problem with a single part of this show, but the surprise is the channel it airs. I know it would seem fairly normal on the normal ABC station, but Family is a bit risky, as Daphne even said in the beginning about the program. I didn't completely believe it myself, but it's true. The Kerr family meet people who take drugs, teenagers who have sex, in hot-tubs for that matter. An adult male, speaks his mind on the basis of his homosexuality, and other kinds of chaos ensues.

I am all for risk, and to that I can say I hope to see more of this show around. It's about time we see Daphne Zuniga in the spotlight again, and she is, without a doubt, having a great time like the rest of the cast. I know only as much as the next viewer about the eight episode run for an opening season, but I hope much more will come! A good Welcome Back to Daphne Zuniga, and an even bigger good luck to the show! It's a fun show to watch.