Word: plot
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...main plot of Father of the Bridedeals with a sneaker manufacturer named GeorgeBanks (Steve Martin) and his deep love for hismarvelous 22 year old daughter Annie (KimberlyWilliams). The general pattern of thisSilly-Daddy-Doesn't-Want-to-Lose-His-Beautiful-Baby story goes like this: First, something happensthat makes George squirm (Annie cheerfullyannounces that she's engaged; Annie's angelicfiancee puts his hand on her leg; Annie's fianceecalls George "Dad"; etc.) Then George unbuttonshis top button, makes funny grimaces and shoutsirrational nonsense. Then George's wife Nina(Diane Keaton), the film's voice of reason, tellshim to stop acting...
...Howard Rosenman was talkingabout in the movie's press release when he saidthat "The story is a reaffirmation of commitmentto basic family values." But this pattern is alsorepeated whenever George is reminded howoutlandishly expensive her wedding will be. TheSilly-Daddy-Doesn't-Want-to-Spring-for-a-Gorgeous-Wedding plot goes like this: First, George hearsbad financial news--the wedding cake will costmore than his first car ($1200); the weddingreception will cost more than his first house($250 a head for 572 guests, $143,000); the churchwill cost extra. Then George histrionically freaksout (the unbuttoned button, the trademark Martingrimaces...
Indeed, Administration officials say they are only taking a new look at some long-standing contingency plans. They give two principal reasons. Though their analysis is strongly disputed, they believe Saddam's hold on power is weakening; rumors of a new American plot to bring him down just might throw him off balance and embolden his opponents to try something. Such rumors also might encourage some allies who Washington fears might soon be ready to do business with Saddam -- notably Turkey -- to reconsider and hang tough in keeping the Iraqi regime isolated. Says an Administration official: "It's a comedy...
Either way, Middle East experts overwhelmingly consider the idea a harebrained plot likely to end in disaster -- not only if it failed, which it probably would, but even if it succeeded. Allies are appalled: the British government has strongly warned George Bush against any such scheme. Pentagon leaders and some high State Department officials also want no part...
...some damage by leading the public to believe the U.S. has far more chance of finally finishing off Saddam, and a much better developed strategy for doing so, than is really the case, thus setting the stage for disillusionment. To indicate just how limited the options are, the plot-that-really-isn't deserves close analysis...