Review of Stand & Deliver (2001) by Jennifer A — 17 Mar 2006

[size=2]More 80's movies.

[b]The World According To Garp [/b]is the film adapation of the John Irving novel of the same name. Directed by George Roy Hill, the film chronicles the quirky world of T.S. Garp (Robin Williams) from childhood, to successful writer, to husband and father. Garp was conceived in a rather unique way (too funny to describe here), and is raised by his single, feminist mother Jenny Fields (Glenn Close). Jenny, who works as a nurse, believes all men are filled with lust and cannot be trusted, and she is overly protective with her son. By high school, Garp decides he wants to become a writer. He also falls in love with Helen (Mary Beth Hurt). When Garp decides it's time to move to New York to become a writer, Jenny decides to go as well, and she also begins writing her first book. In one hilarious scene Jenny "hires" a prostitute (Swoosie Kurtz) so she can learn about lust, and then pays her again so Garp can loose his virginity. Soon afterwards Jenny and Garp both get published and Jenny ends up with a best-selling feminist manifesto, becoming a spokeswoman for the feminist movement. Meanwhile Garp's first novel is critically acclaimed, but doesn't sell. Along the way Garp and high school sweetheart Helen marry and start a family. When they visit Jenny, they find a house full of female followers, including a subsect of Ellen James followers who have their tongues removed to protest (and show support) for a girl whose rapists cut off her tongue after raping her. It is here they also meet Roberta (John Lithgow), a post-operative transsexual who used to be an NFL football player. Roberta would become a lifelong family friend. Tragedy would soon test Helen and Garp's relationship.

[b]The World According To Garp [/b]is an offbeat comedy and tragic drama all rolled into one film. Garp lives in a fascinating world, and it's a fun to see it through his eyes. This was Robin Williams second starring role, and he would soon become a star in more conventional comedies. This also marked the film debut of Glenn Close and she recieved a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role as Jenny Fields. John Lithgow recieved a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role as Roberta. The acting is terrific, especially Glenn Close who dominates every scene she is in. Jenny Fields is one of the most unique "mother figures" ever committed to film. It's truly a clever little film (especially for the early 80's) and a forgotton gem in my opinion.

[b]Stand and Deliver[/b], directed by Ramon Menendez, is based on the true story of Jaime Escalante, a math teacher in a tough East Los Angeles high school. Edward James Olmos plays Escalante, a teacher determined to get the most out of his troubled and underachieving students. When his students begin responding to Escalante's motivation their test scores improve dramatically, and testing officials suspect cheating. Although it's pretty much your standard story of High School underdogs, Edward James Olmos (in an Oscar nominated performance) is memorable enough to make this film watchable. The film also stars Lou Diamond-Phillips and Andy Garcia.

[b]Top Gun[/b], directed by Tony Scott, was the biggest grossing movie of 1986. It's a story of macho posturing at the Navy Flight School and was a star-making vehicle for Tom Cruise, who has seemingly played a variation of his Pete Mitchell character most of his career. Although the film was lauded for it's exciting aerial visuals, the film's cookie-cutter script results in a crash landing, and it's viewers are the casualties. Simply one of the most annoying blockbusters of all time. The film also stars Val Kilmer, Kelly McGillis, Anthony Edwards, Tom Skerritt, and Meg Ryan.

[b]Drugstore Cowboy[/b], was the breakthrough effort of director Gus Van Sant. Based on the memoirs of James Fogle, who served 22 years in prison on drug and robbery charges, [b]Drugstore Cowboy [/b]chronicles the lives of four young junkies who travel the country robbing pharmacies to feed their drug habits. Matt Dillon plays Bob, the leader of the group. Kelly Lynch plays his girlfriend Dianne. James LeGros and Heather Graham play Rick and Nadine, the younger couple that rounds out the crew. The crew manages to stay one step ahead of cop Gentry (James Remar), but things become increasingly dangerous and when tragedy strikes one member of the crew Bob vows to go clean. Sober for the first time in his adult life, Bob meets an elderly junkie (William S. Burroughs) who used to be a priest.

Although more graphic depicitions of drug use have come out since this film, [b]Drugstore Cowboy [/b]remains a highly influential and provocative work from one of the most innovative directors of the last twenty years. More straightforward than most of his later work, it's still a highly engrossing film. Matt Dillon gives one of the finest performances of his underappreciated career. Kelly Lynch and Heather Graham are also very good. [b]Drugstore Cowboy [/b]remains a landmark in drug cinema.

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