`GIANTS' CLIMBS TO NEW HEIGHTS, BUT THAT'S ABOUT IT.Byline: Glenn Whipp Daily News Film Critic ``Among Giants'' may be the first movie ever made about a bunch of working-class blokes who paint high-wire electrical towers. And, who knows, it may not be the last. There's certainly plenty of emotional ground yet to be explored because the makers of this movie have decided to concentrate on pretty aerial views, hazy metaphors and half-baked characters. The originality has been confined strictly to the setting. And that's too bad "That's Too Bad" is the debut single by Tubeway Army, the band which provided the initial musical vehicle for Gary Numan. It was released in February 1978 by independent London record label Beggars Banquet. because with fine actors like Pete Postlethwaite Peter William Postlethwaite OBE (born February 7, 1945)[1] is an English actor. Biography Early life Postlethwaite was born in Warrington, England, to parents William & Mary Geraldine Postlethwaite. (``In the Name of the Father'') and Rachel Griffiths (``Hilary and Jackie''), this could have been a much more absorbing movie. But as it stands now, you'll leave the theater wondering more about electrical towers (when was the last time you saw a fresh coat of paint on one of those?) than you will about what you saw on the screen. ``Among Giants'' was written by Simon Beaufoy, the English screenwriter who gave us ``The Full Monty.'' Beaufoy has a knack for creating warm, believable blue-collar characters, but, here, he shows his limitations when forced to fashion a story that requires more than a one-note gimmick. Postlethwaite plays Ray, a 50ish hard-hearted English loner loner Psychiatry A single young man estranged from society and family, who suffers from psychogenic pain, and tends to live 'on the edge', vacillating between aggression and depression; loners often have unrealistic goals, but are unable to work towards those goals separated from his wife and kids. Ray takes risky, high-paying jobs so he can have the freedom to get his thrills climbing cliffs in his spare time. His latest gig involves painting miles and miles of electrical pylon pylon (Greek: “gateway”) In modern construction, a tower that gives support, such as the steel towers between which electrical wires are strung or the piers of a bridge. towers along the Yorkshire moors. Apparently he's been recruited for this job on the sly, although the movie never quite makes that clear. The one certainty: Ray and his scruffy band of painters must finish painting before the power is turned back on (how the people served by these towers get their power in the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile is a mystery); otherwise, someone is going to be in for the shock of their lives. Ray soon faces a different challenge, though, and one he's not emotionally prepared to handle. A footloose foot·loose adj. Having no attachments or ties; free to do as one pleases. footloose Adjective free to go or do as one wishes Adj. 1. backpacker, a woman, no less, (``This is not right!'') wanders into the boys' party and, after demonstrating some climbing prowess, lands a job on the crew. Gerry (Griffiths) and Ray eventually begin a fervent romance, which leads soon enough to a naked romp through an abandoned water tower that has both actors' full monty on extended display. Given all the climbing, you know there will be a close call or two with gravity. And given that the work is being done on electrical towers, someone is bound to get an unwanted charge out of the situation. Toss in some strained metaphors about knowing when to hang on and when to let go and you've got a clunker clunk·er n. Informal 1. A decrepit machine, especially an old car; a rattletrap. 2. A failure; a flop. of a movie that never manages to get off the ground. THE FACTS The film: ``Among Giants'' (R; language, sexuality and nudity). The stars: Pete Postlethwaite, Rachel Griffiths and James Thornton People named James Thornton.
Behind the scenes: Directed by Sam Miller. Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy. Released by Fox Searchlight Films. Running time: One hour, 33 minutes. Playing: Landmark's Westside Pavilion, West Los Angeles
Our rating: One and one half stars. |
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