Word: caste
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...overall plot of the play is crammed with unexpected twists and a difficult juxtaposition of scenes. The question is whether or not the cast can sustain the audience's interest long enough to reveal the characters' ultimate connection. Although Karen Murphy puts in considerable effort as Mulgrave's somewhat off-balance secretary, she appears more comfortable in her portrayal of the various odd roles her employer casts her in as part of his live-action biography...
...saving grace of the movie is the renowned cast and their moving, spirited performances. Danny Glover, who is pretty much only seen in the increasingly silly Lethal Weapon movies these days, delivers an ardent reminder of what a fine actor he really is. His portrayal of Paul D is vivacious, endearing and painfully vulnerable. Kimberly Elise gives a burning, multifaceted performance as Denver. She conveys so much with one facial expression that she is able to counter with relative ease Thandie Newton's grating-at-best turn as Beloved. Oprah Winfrey, who snatched up the rights to Morrison's book...
...twain shall meet. In a period of what most Americans deem racial healing. director Brett Milanowski of the small, professional Peabody House Theater in Sommerville has chosen to mount The Death of Bessie Smith to punctuate our healing with a question mark. Despite the good intentions of the cast and some genuine moments of radiant acting, The Death of Bessie Smith fails in its appointed role as wakeup call to the insidious prejudice which still permeates our society. The play may not accomplish precisely what the director has set out to do, but it certainly possesses a myriad of redeeming...
...staged,adds a new fold to the already existing racialtension. The white doctor and orderly risk theirjobs to help, symbolically with blood on theirhands. The doctor asks, "Did you know when youbrought her here that she was dead?" The ensuingmonologue is badly handled. Indeed Mascoll is theweakest of the cast's links. From beginning to endhe is inconsistent with focal points and oftenspeaks in an unnaturally high register. In factthe one area where he maintains consistency is inhis shellacked and overacted presentation oflines...
...rest of the cast doesn't make up for Baldwin's shortcomings. Chris Penn portrays Baldwin's partner Duke Finnerty as a wasted Joe Pesci (annoying accent and all), and Gina Gershon as girlfriend Joey is one-dimensional at best. It just seems like nobody tried very hard to make this film. One Tough Cop might have passed as a mediocre episode of "NYPD Blue," but it ultimately fails as a feature film...