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By Ward W. Triplet! III
Pcga 10
Splash is almost a very good movie. But a curious
reluctance on the part of the filmmakers and the
lead actor to explore the potential comedy angles of
this mermaid tale leaves it doglapping in a stream of
forgettable television-type banality.
Splash is the story of one man's search for the
perfect mate. Common enough theme, but when
Allen Bauer finds his true love, she doesn't speak
English, can't understand American customs (like
clothing), and can only communicate through kisses.
Of course, the girl is the mermaid. She and Bauer
had met 20 years before when he accidentally fell
over board during a vacation cruise. The mermaid,
Film
Review
whose crimson fins turn into legs in the air, finds
Bauer after an unfortunate incident at the Statue of
Liberty and learns language from watching six
hours of television at Bloomingdale's.
The mermaid picks up the name Madison and she
and Allen are nearing the verge of marriage when
the story plot comes into play with the arrival of a
man of science (Eugene Levy). He sees Madison
underwater and won't rest until he can prove to the
scientific world she is who he says she is. This, plus
the fact that Allen doesn't know Madison is a
mermaid and has to return to the water in six "fun
filled" days, give Splash its only plot complications.
As light-hearted comedies go, the idea behind
Splash should carry it to some degree of success.
After all, didn't Love at First Bite, the vampire spoof
with George Hamilson, generate great box office
figures? But in that original idea, Hamilton exploited
the vampire myths and spoofs to hilarity. Splash
while it has some very clever and funny scenes,
holds back from ever reaching the all-out laughs
point, as if the filmmakers wanted to keep a foot in
reality. That would be fine most of the time, but it
slows and stiffens Splash.
The main reasons for this are Tom Hanks, who
plays Bauer, and director Ron Howard. Hanks, who
might be remembered from the ABC comedy Bosom
Buddies, plays the straight Bauer too straight. He
always seems to be at a distance from the comedy
material, and fails to really give off any charisma,
charm or comedy spontaneity.
Howard contributes to the problem by letting the
film look too much like a Ill-minute television sit
com. This isn't a surprise since Hanks, Howard,
producer Brian Grazer and screenwriters Lowell
Ganz and Babaloo Mendel earned much of their
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Luena Vista Distribution Co., Inc.
Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah star in Eon Howard's Splash. Vhe film is currently showing at the
Plaza 4, 12th and P streets.
credit in television. It isn't as obvious in Splash as it
was in Howard's last movie Night Shift but the
television mentality (a perpetually nice guy, a dumb
creep with dumbo friends), predictable story twists
and improbable running gags, are still there.
On the positive side, there's John Candy as Hanks'
con-man but swell-guy big brother, and Daryl Hannah
as Madison who is obviously having fun from the
time she swims out to find Bauer to when she's
squealing her aquatic name in Dloomingd Hanks
has some good lines too, but they seem to come only
when Candy is around to set them up. And, the
underwater shots are great.
I'd hate to seem like I'm knocking Splash around,
for it is a nice little film obviously made to just cause
some smiles. Hut Splash has enough good things
going for it that you know it could have, and should
have, been much better.
1 V! rZ
Ccjney and Laccy, a television drama about
two women police cCcers, will get a second chance
at life beinnir.3 at 0 p.ra. on Channels 6 and 1 0. The
show, which received a great deal of critical praise
during it s short run, was taken off the air at the end'
cf.r;t summer. However, audience outrage, coupled
with hih Neilsen ratings at the end of the season,
facilitated the show's return. Sharon Gless and TVne
Ati1r TTi!!
The third annual Flute Feast will be held at 8
p.m. today in the Recital Hall. The program features
local high school flautists, as well as participants
from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Union
College and UNL. There is no admission charge.
At the Sheldon
Andrew Sarris, film critic for the Village Voice,
will give a special lecture on Rainer Werner Fass
binder's Berlin Alexanderplatz today at 7 p.m. in
the Film Theatre. Sarris' talk will be accompanied by
a documentary on the making of Alexanderplatz.
Also, there will be a panel discussion with Sarris and
UNL professors June Levine, Peter Reinkordt and
Robert Shirer. There is no admission charge.
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1984 SR Alpine Sort 12 tpwd, 23", 26
lbs. Priced to sell. Many extras. 4S4-4434. '
Gold loveseat couch, lair condition,
make offer. 474-3523.
Moving Must Sell 25" color console,
chests, dressers, end and coffee tobies,
student desks, hanging and table lamps,
green recliner , bookshelves, kitchen lafcie.
463252.
KING SIZE WATERBED.
FRAME, HEATER, SHEETS.
$130,475-2044.
2 Billy Joel concert tickets floor
seats. $iO for the pair. 472-6842.
J T?-Tam8h4 750 Special. Must Sell.
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