Word: garp
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...Although the film remains very true to Irving's work, an immense amount of the peripheral zaniness and tragedy has been left out. The result is a charming story of a most committed father and husband tempered by the dangers--controlled and uncontrolled--to the safe existence which T.S. Garp vigilantly seeks for his wife and children...
...most attractive feature of the film is its good humor. The jokes will not sent audiences reeling, but instead produce the good-natured giggles which are more natural and frequent in the world according to everyone. The introductory shots of baby Garp being tossed in the air by his mother, rising and falling with a different animated expression each time, sets the lighthearted, warm tone. Williams' restrained antics, which produce most of the laughs, both entertain and soothe the Garp family and the audience. "Don't say, Ma-Ma, Duncan, say Da-Da," he admonishes his first baby, grimacing...
Williams finds a poignance in Garp which is appropriately reflected in the other characters as well. The hero becomes "Sir Scum" and creates frantic medieval battles for his sons on the front lawn. He is constantly staring at the kids in awe. "I will never write anything that lovely." Garp tells his wife Helen (Mary Beth Hurt) after tucking sons Duncan and Walt into bed. Helen provides a steady and more serious influence throughout, and Roberta Muldoon (John Lithgow), the tight end-turned-transsexual effectively becomes the best friend a Garp could ever have. Even the puzzling Jenny Fields (Glenn...
...Oscar for writing Breaking Away, recreates the endearing kind of dialogue which made the Cutters of Indianapolis genuine heroes. Some comes directly from Irving, who advised throughout the filmmaking; but Tesich continues to develop sincere relationships around off-beat but believable discussions. Shopping for a house, Garp and his wife watch calmly as a one-man plane crashes into the second floor of a prospective purchase. Comments the hero: "The chances of another plane hitting our house are astronomical, Helen. We'll take...
...upcoming film Pearlie, but for originality, Lithgow scoops him. In a story about families overly concerned with their own self-preservation, it is Roberta--the social pariah--who is the most consistent source of spirit when danger arises. Roberta also plays "Sir Scum"; she hurdles shrubbery with Garp in a comic pursuit of reckless drivers, outpacing and protecting her friend. In the eerie feminist funeral for Garp's slain mother, where the protagonist must attend in drag, Roberta runs interference for Garp when he is unmasked. Roberta's is the first shoulder upon which everyone cries...