FILM

Rip It Up, Issue 59, 1 June 1982, Page 20

FILM

Rich and Famous Director: George Cukor Veteran Cukor has made a welcome return to- the screen with an elegant and witty piece of entertainment that must be one of the films of this year, a snappily updated version of the John". .Van - Druten ' play Old Acquaintance and strong performances from Jacqueline Bisset and Candice Bergen in the roles originally played by Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins.

Rich and Famous follows the ups and downs of two women's friendship from college days in 1959 through to 1981 when both have achieved the status of the movie's title. Of ; the two, Bergen's talent for penning trash novels scores her the greater financial success, her costumes forming a crescendo of bad taste from scene to scene until, swathed . in', mink, she takes her last taxi ride from New York to Connecticut. Bisset, as the more literary lady ■ has most of the film's serious moments as she comes to terms with her inner conflicts as an artist and as a

woman. There are some beautifully timed scenes which remind one of how Cukor was responsible for that classy comedy of the thirties, The Women, and a hilarious scene of in-flight carnal pleasures on a TWA jet shows how Cukor can take advantage of the more liberal climate of today without sacrificing any of his eminently.civilised wit. - Star Struck Director: Gillian Armstrong Star Struck certainly offers no competition to Rocky Horror Picture Show or Phantom of the Paradise in the rock musical stakes. Given a fairly handsome budget, . this 'Aussie update ' of 1930 s melodramatic musical plot 438 (talented youngsters use their musical success to save the. oldies from villainous creditors) is a sorry follow-up to the director's ’ successful My Brilliant Career. There are a few oases in this overly frenetic piece of Sydneyside razzamatazz - Armstrong's keen - eye for ' visual details, a

diverting Busby Berkeley spoof starring a dozen or so hunky lifeguards and amusing, . cheeky performances by Jo Kennedy and Ross O'Donovan but flaccid pacing, untidy scripting, flat characters, leaden choreography and uninspired songs'take their 101 l somewhat after 113 minutes. Blood Beach Director: Jeffrey Bloom A nasty thing comes up out of the sand and chomps at you where and when you least expect it. Well, at least it's a change from your average psychopath shocker. The film pulls' its punches a little in the gore and grot-department and, in spite of some' effective atmosphere, the plot is not anywhere near cogent enough, even on horrorflick terms.

FORTHCOMING FILMS The Border . . . lack Nicholson is a US border patrol guard in El Paso Texas who tails in love with young Mexican- woman, , while his marriage falls apart. Soundtrack includes Ry Cooder andJohn Hiatt. June 18. AT \ Dance Craze ... British Ska movie out in June. Includes the Specials, Madness, the Beat (filmed in action on US tour), Selector, Bad Manners, and the Bodysnatchers. Follows the release of. the Dance Craze album a year ago. Southern Comfort .. . Louisiana weekend soldiers hit Texas swamp for training, and become involved in real guerilla warfare with the local Cajun - hunters. Directed by Walter. Hill I Warriors. Long Riders). Music by Ry. Cooder. June 18. Body Heat . . . William Hurt and Kathleen Turner in lead roles. Directed by Lawrence Kasdan (screenplay for . Raiders of the

Lost Arc). Story of a lawyer who has attair with "beautiful and sensuous" woman married to a man many years her senior. June 18. Blow Out . . . directed by Brian De Palma (Phantom of the Paradise. Carrie). Jack Terri (John Travolta) is recording sound for a film, when a car plunges into nearby river. Travolta rescues woman, but male is dead. Later detects gunshot on tape. The mystery unravels. Christiane ... true story of a 12 year old heroin addict who turns hooker at 13 to support her habit. Directed by West German Ulrich Edel, it includes scenes of David Bowie in concert. Ghost Story .. . where spirits kill. Fred Astaire is top man.

Directed by John Irvin (Tinker Tailor. Soldier Spy). June 18. Making Love . . . love story of the 80s. Husband falls in. love

with another man. Chiel players Harry : Hamlin, Michael Ontkean, and Kale Jackson. Out late June.