Word: tomei
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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...
James Whalen shines in the small part of Suzy'shusband Sam, who leaves after the second scene anddoesn't return until the very end of the play.Although they only share the stage for fiveminutes, Whalen and Tomei exhibit great chemistry.Unfortunately, the same can't be said for StephenLang's Mark Talman, the good-hearted hood whodevelops an affinity for Suzy while simultaneouslyattempting to con her. The sexual tension betweenLang and Tomei falls flat, mainly because theytalk at rather than to one other.Their exchanges are hopelessly wooden--strange,considering the ample talent and experience ofthese two fine performers...
...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...