Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / July 5, 1984, edition 1 / Page 10
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U" UK Page 10 Thursday, July 5, 1984 Disorganized crime in Rosenberg's 'Pope9 Tired of summer movies full of muppet monsters, pointy-eared aliens and whip-wielding profes sors? Attention, movie-starved adults, The Pope of Greenwich Village is a very grown-up movie about two endearingly juvenile cousins. Based on Vincent Patrick's best-selling novel, The Pope, the film (also written by Patrick) explores the tribal loyalty of Italian-Americans through a blend of comedy and melodrama fueled by the performance of three exceptional young stars. Charlie (Mickey Rourke of fVneA works as a sharp-dressed maitred' at .) village restaurant and dreams endlessly of owning his own place Paulie (Eric Roberts of Star ?() is his hustling cousin, a waiter at the same restaurant whose cheating gets them both fired. Trying to get back into his cousin's graces, Paulie convinces Charlie to join him in a heist that will give them enough money to bet on an "artificially inspired" thoroughbred in which Paulie has invested. The result is a woefully irresponsible plunge into disor ganized crime. Charlie's involvement in this fiasco is the last straw for his WASP girlfriend Diane (Daryl Hannah of Splash), who cannot understand why he lets his idiotic cousin ruin his life when he's just "one inch from being a good Review Ivy Hilliard person." This conflict between self interest and blood ties gives The Pope its drama, as well as its humor. There are some gut-wrenching moments, as when Paulie's irres ponsibility finally catches up with him or when Charlie and Diane part company. There are also belly laughs in Paulie's theories on horse breeding, and anyone who has ever been ticketed or towed will appreciate Paulie's revenge on an over-zealous traffic cop. Director Stuart Rosenberg (Cool Hand Luke) displays a terrific eye for detail within the setting in New York's Little Italy. The smell, of pasta pratically oozes off the screen. Added to this is a delicious score, highligh ted by Frank Sinatra's seductive rendition of "Summer Wind." The real heart of The Pope is . its stars. People magazine polls ters might have tagged Rourke as unrecognized by the public, but his talent is clearly identifiable in this film. His scruffy, droopy lidded style and vague, mumbling delivery have never been put to better use. He is definitely an i i s o n 0 (u LrUUuil Li Asahi PM 1 New Balance CT 600 New Balance 460 REG. NOW $51.99 $41.99 $54.99 $44.99 $49.99 $39.99 I $32.99 $47.99 $39.99 $22.99 $37.99 $29.99 Nike Aerobique Nike Pegasus New Balance WCT450 Good Selection of Vila and BOAST Tennis Wear "WE STAND BEHIND WHAT WE SELL Lower Level - Franklin Centre 128 E. Franklin - Across the street from NCNB ..Xw. - -J" 1 ' - J V 5 - ' , I l I i ! ' r i 1 oIk-.. Eric Roberts end Mickey Rourke star In "The Pope of Greenwich Village" actor to keep an eye on. The same goes for Roberts, although hv Paulie he comes dangerously close at times to total parody of Italian New Yorkers. Despite her relatively brief appearances, Daryl Hannah is as radiantly beautiful as she is effective, and she does for aero bics what Jennifer Beales did for flashdancing. Kenneth McMillan is perfectly cast as the Irish safecracker in on an ill-fated robbery, and Burt . Young shines as the sadistic crook: Geraldine Page also gives a terrifically gritty, if short, ; performance as the elderly chain smoking mother of a dead cop. The Pope of Green wich Village doesnt take many chances and it doesn't really break, any new ground in its exploration of family ties, but this doesn't diminish its impact in the least. Like its street-smart theme song, . The Pope of Greenwich Village is a breath of fresh air tn a summer threatened by the dol drums of kiddie flicks. 2(D Hi! ' onon !TTflC I t TmrvTCirr hpttptawc University Mall, Chapel Hill, NC 967-2020 10 am-9 pm Mon.-Fri. 10 am-6 pm Sat. 942-7415
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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July 5, 1984, edition 1
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