Corporate take overs for the mass mind. Danny Devito is incredibly perfect for the part of the corporate raider, and how he relishes playing the part! Sad to see Gregory Peck reduced for the most part to a stubborn old man, although there are flashes of the great actor he once was. Ah, but doesn't Penelope Ann Miller do a neat Marilyn Monroe imitation talking on the phone to our predatory take over artist?

The fine script, based on a play by Jerry Sterner, and directed by the consummate professional, Norman Jewison, is studded with cynical Wall Street wisdom, not the least of which is, it is always nice to play with other people's money. Naturally this Hollywood presentation is a little shallow, but what a pleasant fantasy for short, old, balding day traders on a holiday.

Of course there is the delicate question of how to play "Danny Devito gets Penelope Ann Miller." Are we going to see him pull her into his arms and tongue kiss her, thereby sweeping her off her feet? I don't think so. However, confidence (and mass bucks) are very sexy, and so there is a certain plausibility to this amusing romantic comedy.

While watching I was reminded that Miller is one of the great beauties of the contemporary screen, but I was saddened to realize how short her span.... Alas. One of the wonderful things about cinema, though, is that she may be young forever, or at least until the deterioration of celluloid.

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In many ways, "Other People's Money" seems like a reworking of Oliver Stone's "Wall Street", with Danny DeVito playing a Gordon Gecko-like troll who delights in buying up cash-flush companies and liquidating them. But the script is confusing...and it seems as if the movie isn't sure if it's supposed to be a comedy, a romance or a drama.

The story finds Lawrence Garfield (DeVito) working to buy up the majority of shares of a wire company run by Andrew Jorgenson (Gregory Peck). It seems that there's more profit to be made buying up the company and liquidating its assets. The company's only weapon in this fight is Jorgenson's pretty step-daughter, Kate (Penelope Ann Miller). She is a knockout in the film and her beauty and aloofness manage to somehow charm Garfield.

The romantic aspects of the film simply don't work. It isn't just because Garfield is a short and unattractive man. His PERSONALITY is unlikable and gross as well...which makes Kate's reaction to him, well, very strange and confusing. The same can be said for the humor. At times, it seems like they are trying to make a comedy...but there really aren't any laughs. My feeling is that the film is quite watchable but also difficult to believe as well.

Ruthless business man Lawrence 'Larry the Liquidater' Garfield determines to 'destroy' a small town Wire and Cable service in this Norman Jewison comedy. Danny De Vito is 'Larry' and Penelope Ann Miller is both his enemy and his heart's desire, a lawyer representing 'New England Wire and Cable'.

De Vito is entertaining and always more enjoyable when he is only in front of the camera, while Miller is a delight to watch. "Other People's Money" is funny throughout but falls short of Jewison's "Moonstruck". The unresolved ending is a disappointment.

Gregory Peck appears in a supporting role.

Friday, November 15, 1991 - Knox District Centre