BUGSY MALONE (1976) **1/2 They have these great cars, almost as big as real ones, that you pedal. Very cool. An all-kid cast doing gangster schtick is probably better in the theoretical stage, or at least this one was. I mean, watching kids play make believe is fun, but it's not really something you usually sit down and do for two hours. And I don't believe I'd be impressed if my kids started making up songs this stupid. There's always one kid who knows what they're doing, and it's definitely Jodie Foster here. She's so much more polished than everyone else that she seems like maybe the babysitter. John Cassisi is very funny, and did his homework, and the Scott Baio/Florrie Digger romance isn't nearly as bad as you'd be afraid...but if you were watching these kids in the yard you'd definitely be more interested in what Jodie and John were doing, and the camera just doesn't go that way often enough. I do want to be in such a pie fight though. None of which diminishes, in any way, a particularly observant child's appreciation of it all. Zing!!!!!
back to Brilliant Observations on 1776 Films page, or Index
go back home, or send me email
Reviews won't do it any more! I need sustained brilliance! I want to buy your novel!
