OEDIPAL THEME, WEIRDNESS HAMPER `SIX WAYS'.Byline: Frank Scheck Hollywood Reporter Adam Bernstein's feature is another example of the postmodern gangster film in which a fairly straightforward plot is infused with bizarre stylization styl·ize tr.v. styl·ized, styl·iz·ing, styl·iz·es 1. To restrict or make conform to a particular style. 2. To represent conventionally; conventionalize. , absurdist flourishes and pseudo psychology. Supremely weird and off-putting, ``Six Ways to Sunday'' is the kind of quirky quirk n. 1. A peculiarity of behavior; an idiosyncrasy: "Every man had his own quirks and twists" Harriet Beecher Stowe. 2. genre pic that goes over well at film festivals but drops like a stone in commercial release. It may benefit, however, from the presence of Deborah Harry, whose career is newly revitalized thanks to the re-emergence of her band Blondie. Bernstein has adapted an acclaimed 1962 Charles Perry This article is about the American writer. For other persons named Charles Perry, see Charles Perry (disambiguation). Charles Perry (1924-1969) was an African American author whose only published novel was Portrait of a Young Man Drowning. novel, updating it to the present and changing the setting from Brooklyn to Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately 65 miles (105 km) southeast of Cleveland and , which is depicted as shabby and depressed. It concerns the burgeoning criminal career of Harold Odum (Norman Reedus), an 18-year-old recruited by the local Jewish mob when his talents for aggression and violence are revealed to them - a result of accompanying his best friend, Arnie (Adrien Brody Adrien Brody (born April 14, 1973) is an American actor. He received widespread recognition when he was cast as the lead in Roman Polanski's The Pianist (2002). The role won him an Academy Award for Best Actor, the youngest actor ever to win the award. ), a mob flunkie, on a routine muscle job. The main focus, however, is the bizarre relationship between Harold and his blowzy blow·zy also blow·sy adj. blow·zi·er also blow·si·er, blow·zi·est also blow·si·est 1. Having a coarsely ruddy and bloated appearance. 2. mother Kate (Harry), who in the opening scene is seen giving her son a loving sponge bath sponge bath n. A bath in which a wet sponge or washcloth is used without immersing the body in water. sponge bath Nursing A bath performed on a Pt with prescribed bed rest. See Bath. . In the hands of a more accomplished stylist (like, say, Jonathan Demme, who receives a ``Presented by'' credit here), the film might have emerged as an entertaining cult curiosity. Unfortunately, Bernstein's sluggish, often ham-fisted approach to the material robs it of whatever juice it might have possessed, and the weirdness on display is more stultifying than entertaining. None of the performers is at their best, though Harry invests her bizarre portrayal with emotional conviction. As the disturbed Harold, Reedus is a veritable blank, though admittedly the character never really makes sense. THE FACTS The film: ``Six Ways to Sunday'' (R; graphic bloody violence and strong language, sexuality and brief drug use). The stars: Norman Reedus, Deborah Harry, Peter Appel, Elina Lowensohn, Jerry Adler, Adrien Brody, Holter Graham, Isaac Hayes. Behind the scenes: Directed by Adam Bernstein. Written by Bernstein Marc Gerald. Released by Stratosphere Entertainment. Running time: One hour, 37 minutes. Playing: Los Feliz. Our rating: Two stars. |
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