monkeyface_si

Rip Torn's characterization is monumental. The great actor has never been better. Tantoo Cardinal is a perfect fit for him and when they are on camera together, this looks like a sure-fire classic. Then, Michael J. Fox shows up as evil personified, and throws every cliche in the book into a confused performance. The score is fine. But not good enough to save this turkey.

Simple-minded sex farce aims for sly smiles. On that level, it is amiable enough. All the actors seem to be having a genial enough time. There's not much else to tell -- just silly suburban hijinks, but nothing I found particularly offensive, or particularly interesting. But it was on a local UHF station while I worked out at a hotel gym, and for that it filled the bill nicely.

The light and dark, happy and sad, are well-characterized in this well-acted made-for-TV soaper. It's nothing you haven't seen before, but it's done more artfully than most. David Ogden Stiers is memorable in his role. Crystal & Bradbury are poignant as a couple who do everything together except communicate.