|
Tuesday, 15 August 2006 01:26 |
"Pope Dreams" boasts sensitive performances, direction and dialogue, though perhaps too sensitive for its own good -- the film ultimately lacks the sharp-edged observational acuity to propel it to memorable status. Lacking commercial theatrical elements, "Pope," which recently received its premiere at the Stony Brook Film Festival, should find a more receptive audience on video.
The central character is 19-year-old Andy Venable (newcomer Phillip Vaden), a personable young man who works at his father's electronics store and plays drums in a neighborhood rock band. Andy's mother (Julie Hagerty) has cancer, and what he most wants to do to help her is somehow find a way to have her meet the pope before she dies.
Meanwhile, he becomes ro-mantically involved with the beautiful Brady (Marnette Patterson), a young woman he normally would have considered far out of his league. Turns out he's right, as she is only using him as part of a plot to get back at her father for keeping her away from her real boyfriend. It doesn't take long, however, for Andy's sincerity and warmth to overcome her resistance. As a result of their relationship, Andy's nascent songwriting talents are discovered by Brady's father, a collaborator on Broadway musicals.
Hogan's screenplay has trouble keeping the tonally different elements of his plot in balance, with the result that the film never quite achieves the dramatic or comedic focus that it needs. But it has many engaging moments along the way as well as several fine performances. Stephen Tobolowsky as Carl Venable and Hagerty, better known for their broad comic turns, are quite moving here, and young Vaden displays an easygoing warmth and charisma that makes his character highly sympathetic.
|
Hollywood Movies 
