Tag: Vincent Spano

AND GOD CREATED WOMAN (1988)

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Directed By: Roger Vadim

Written By: R.J. Stewart 

Cinematography: Stephen M. Katz

Editor: Suzanne Pettit 

Cast: Rebecca DeMornay, Vincent Spano, Frank Langella, Donovan Leitch, Judith Chapman, Benjamin Mouton, Gail Boggs 

In this variation on director Vadim’s own, more acclaimed Et Dieu Créa La Femme (1956, the same title in French), the vamp Robin Shea marries charming carpenter Billy Moran, only to get out of prison, but soon decides to seduce James Tiernan, who runs for state governor.

The remake was directed by the original director Roger Vadim. Tries to keep the same bets but in more modern dressing and fashion.

The film almost feels pornographic as the sex scenes are that graphic and feel more realistic. The original was a bit more coy. This goes for the jugular a bit. Though this version might be more explicit it Contains the same quality that the original did. An eroticism. 

Which makes it feel more like a softcore movie. Stretching to be more of a mainstream dramedy and relatable. This comes across more as a straight-to-cable or horn video at the time. Trying to cash in on the original’s fame.

While star Rebecca DeMornay is certainly attractive and works In the role. She isn’t at the level of the bombshell that was Brigitte Bardot. She comes across as certainly more intelligent, but she is familiar to the audience. As she was the fantasy girl in RISKY BUSINESS. Here she is more down to earth, still a bit dangerous, but somewhat familiar. At least she is fleshed out character-wise. 

The film almost feels like a step down for her from RISKY BUSINESS. As the subject of the lust humanizes her more, she is still desired more physically than anything. Where in the previous she remained a mystery. Here she is given a backstory and is all the more relatable, but still treated and shown in more of a carnal way throughout. That thought the material was never quite strong feels cheapened.

Of course in my teenage years when I first saw this film. This was a cable classic like finding a hidden treasure. Though was treasured more for its erotic Value. Sort of like Demornay’s character.

The quality might be a little off as Roger Vadim didn’t write this version only directed it and trusted the screenwriter to modernize it and make it more American. Which would explain the rock n roll angle. Though comes off as barely resembling the original and more in name only, with the two male leads obsessed with the free-spirited female character, against their better judgments. 

The cast is respectable throughout. Though don’t know if they signed up more because of the director. All involved deserve better than this. Most of the main stars have sex scenes. Even if they are hinted at or more shown afterward. It Reeks of someone older trying to show that they are still hip and can be cool, embarrassing themselves in the process 

This version does expose one essential truth about both films. Your interest is tied to its star no matter what story the film offers. So while it might try to have an extra amino of Merit at heart they are Star making films in the same way a teen idol or a TV star trying to make the move to the big screen and the film is built around them while giving them room to flex their acting muscles. Still, pay up the qualities of what the audience likes about them and hopefully have that built-in audience waiting for them and expose more to their charms 

Grade: C

BABY, IT’S YOU (1983)

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Written & Directed By: John Sayles
Based on a Story by: Amy Robinson 
Cinematography: Michael Ballhaus 
Editor: Sonya Polonsky 

Cast: Rosanna Arquette, Vincent Spano, Matthew Modine, Sam McMurray, Tracy Pollan, Frank Vincent, Robert Downey Jr., Caroline Aaron, Fisher Stevens, Joanna Merlin

In a 1966 New Jersey high school, Jill and new student Sheik from the other side of the tracks make their way into a first love romance.  

A romantic epic. That is well-traveled.

a perfect representation of first love as it spans across the early years of your development from your teens to slowly becoming an adult. Though it only covers a few years. It feels like a love story across decades. Though at least It isn’t presented as instant more than organic.

Almost like a kitchen sink drama mixed with a young adult novel. 

This is a film that seems like it’s Going to be slight or more melodramatic but ends up being actually deep and partly devastating.

Neither of the two main characters played by Vincent Spano and Rosanna Arquette. Are perfect. As they both have their strengths, weaknesses, and flaws. Yet you find yourself pulling for them.

Rosanna Arquette’s Character is annoying quite a few times and Vincent Spano gives a performance that has tinges of tragedy. As he seems to have a stubbornness about him that can be seen as confidence yet also expects too much. As you know he’s a dreamer you find yourself rooting for him. 

The film smartly involved petty betrayal and seduction and finding yourself even once they are split then finally resuming their relationship. They still need each other as they are stranded and the only people who seem to understand each other. As we don’t see them when they are sorted only when together or on the verge. So we get to see a kind of greatest-hits version of their lives 

The power shifts between them become fascinating. As we watch as the relationship becomes all about growth and maturity as well as how it comes apart and goes back to childlike immaturity.

It’s one of the few times Matthew Modine has been sued in the right way. He seems to be good at playing yuppie upper-class men. It’s Fun spotting a bunch of character actors in early small roles.

It’s a film that is almost kind of like PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED. Only it’s not from the future looking back and getting another chance to correct past mistakes 

Here the story is told mostly as a doomed love story between two characters where we follow their ups and downs from high school to adulthood and always manage to find their way back to each other. Even when in different romances and away from one another 

It also shows how in this oboe Sorry there is the fantasy and romantic early days to the rough parts and the truly hard parts towards the end and after where reality truly steps in 

Just as the characters’ hopes and dreams for their futures are attempted but also must be checked at certain times by a harsh reality and circumstances they set themselves up for

Coming from writer-director John Sayles you expect more of a humanist point of view and presentation. That isn’t too sensationalistic or aimed at any particular genre. This is also one of his films that stays with you like BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET, LONE STAR, and CITY OF HOPE. They are inventive and have a bunch of great ideas.

He is a director I admire as an independent filmmaker who usually has excellent character studies like this one. I admire that he started out writing B-Movie scripts PIRANHA, and ALLIGATOR. Who makes a living primarily by being. A professional rewriter, using that money to help fund his own productions and help other independent filmmakers.

Amazed at how the filmmakers got such a great soundtrack. 

Grade: A-

ALPHABET CITY (1984)

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Directed By: Amos Poe
Written By: Amos Poe & Gregory K. Heller
Story By: Gregory K. Heller
Cinematography: Oliver Wood 
Editor: Grahame Weinbran 

Cast: Vincent Spano, Kate Vernon, Michael Winslow, Jami Gertz, Clifton Powell, Ray Serra, Daniel Jordano, Zohra Lempert, Tom Mardirosian, Tom Wright 

A New York City drug dealer decides to get out of the business, but has to flee from mobsters.

It took a while for me to watch this film. As the DVD and video cover made it look like some revenge movie from a third-world country all bathed in brown and gold.

Once I finally saw a trailer for the film it intrigued my interests.

One of the odd times that actor Vincent Spano played a leading role. Usually whenever he does the film almost comes off as an oddity, a memorable film, and performance.

This film is stylish and goes for a kind of gritty neon-noir look that takes place all in one night, but it comes off more shiny than deep. As it plays almost like a MIAMI VICE episode style only in New York. Even though it came out before that show. So maybe it influenced that show. 

As it is episodic, the character is working on a kind of countdown that seems to have started as more of a regular night. As it seems he is given a job to do in one night that would help set him up in the mob higher. Yes, he is more than just some street dealer. He has aspirations and a family.

It seems episodic as most characters he seems to only deal with on one or two scenes and then never heard from Or at least seen again except for when it is convenient. The ones we Do keep seeing are his adversaries and his best friend/top dealer/drug addict played by Michael Winslow in a strange off-kilter nihilistic dramatic Performance. Which strangely comes off reminding one of Chris Tucker in tone.

The film keeps your interest up. Even if it is more a fascinating look at early 1980’s New York before it got cleaned up. So that it works as a kind of nostalgic time capsule of the city mainly in the neighborhood of the title.

There are of course its fair share of ridiculous scenes like how Long it takes him to realize he is being set up by one of his clients. How his girlfriend refuses to leave. When he explains why they have to leave town even though she understands why he does. She expects his gangster bosses to spare her and their child.

Though there is some action it’s not awe-inspiring even though in one scene you can see the director John Singleton used it in 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS. Though in that movie it Was used as an impressive sequence of seduction and cool. Here it is more used as a means of intimidation and cool. 

Proving that this film is more influential than anyone expected and seems to be a well-Kept secret.

By now if you have watched enough films the story Will be predictable with a happier ending than you Would normally expect. That is an act that makes no sense but works for the end.

The film comes off as a nice attempt to make something a little more artistic even with a familiar storyline at the time. It comes off as hip more than anything. 

Grade: B-