Word: tomei
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...Knott's classic 1966 thriller, Wait Until Dark. Tarantino plays Harry Roat, a ruthless drug smuggler who coerces two small-time hoods (Stephen Lang and Juan Hernandez) into helping him recover a shipment of heroin hidden in the apartment of an unwitting couple. When they discover that Suzy (Marisa Tomei), the homebound wife, is blind, the crooks wait for her husband to leave and begin staging what they think will be an easy con. Naturally, Suzy proves to be a worthier adversary than any of them imagined. She plays on the intruders' underestimation of her abilities and keeps them...
...Marisa Tomei makes a strong showing as theresourceful Suzy, but director Foglia has herworking at a disadvantage. He has the diminutiveactress decked out like a teenybopper, completewith jeans, day-glo top and sneakers. Apparently,he wants to emphasize her character's youthfulnaivete, but this seems like overkill. Suzy'salready blind and besieged by street thugs--doesshe also have to be the consummate ingenue...
...spite of the Keds, Tomei remains steady andreliable throughout the play--she's the glue thatholds the show together. Her timing in perfect,and her sense of pace is dead-on. Herinterpretation of blindness is convincing enough,and it's impressive how well she can find her wayaround Michael McGarty's superbly cluttered set inthe dark. But that blank stare and high-pitchedvoice (along with the Annette Funicello wardrobe)often suggest a shrill bimbette, not a savvyheroine defending her domicile against invaders...
...English Patient, with its potent combination of literate filmmaking, pretty pictures and even prettier stars. Secrets Lies and Fargo are not everyone's cup of tea, but those who like them love them. Jerry Maguire would normally be D.O.A. without a director nod, but don't underestimate the Marisa Tomei factor: studio output in a field of itchy new-wavism can pull off big surprises. Shine is easily the least accomplished film, but so were Forrest Gump and Rain Man. Oscar voters like their sappy, stunted geniuses wherever they can get them. Tough call...
...race is between two contenders, Mira Sorvino and Joan Allen. Each claims her share of devotees, but this is the category where newcomers often seem to be rewarded--Marisa Tomei and Anna Paquin, for example. Last year, Dianne Wiest won for her supporting role in another Woody Allen film. I would be happy if either one took home the Oscar, but Sorvino, a Harvard grad, is the sentimental favorite...