The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, October 17, 1984, Page Page 12, Image 12
Pago 12 Daily Nebraskan Wednesday, October 17, 1934 fl oft ss'ii aisameet is: ics aeo .HBt iring t A Asp hesDians mil out Human trail By Toger Swsuson Daily Nebraskan Staff Reporter The enthusiasm of youth, the creeping senility of old age. This is the Rill Speaking" brings out both in a small Midwestern town. The Showcase Theater's presentation of the Landford Wilson play illustrated these themes aJong with cne cf isolation between characters. Theater leview The play represented a typical day in the life of a three-generation Midwestern family. Director Tim Ganser used a multi-tiered stage and sharp lighting to draw the audience's attention to each segment, as well as to isolate the characters from each other by darkness. Numerous lighting fades cut the action into small glimpses of each life. The entire cast remained on stage during the pro duction, motionless until their lines came. The show attempted not to make a striking point but to paint a realistic picture of human frailties and faults through rural Midwestern life. The brevity of the play allowed little character development. Some characters had only a few lines but contributing with their presence on stage. Ganser used eager actors and actresses from the UNL theatre department for hi3 second directing effort. He chose his cast from those who tried out earlier this falL The month preceding last weekend's performances involved lengthy practices every night. The main motivation for these actors and actresses was the love of theater and a need for experience on the stage, Ganser said. The UNL theatre department has few opportuni ties for freshmen actors and actresses who must compete for roles with graduate students in UNL prouuetions. Showcase Theater allows those would be thespians the chance to develop their acting skills in a real theater environment. Totally independent of the university, Ganser started this program and plans to launch another production in the spring. The actors were weary after a month of tiring rehearsals. With no admission charged for the per formances, they certainly dont do it for the money. They want the experience. Ganser also made a video tape of the short play in his home town of Albion. He hopes to air this on cable television in the future. The cast said the trip to Albion helped them to relate to their characters and get a feel for small towns. The 13 members of the cast and crew learned about small Midwestern life and gained insight in to Landford Wilson's view of it Film lacks coliesive plot c The Wild Life' perpetua ,te sex objec t mentality By Mark licit Daily Nebraskan Staff Reporter I'm not a good little Husker. Instead of going to the Missouri game, I spent my Saturday afternoon in the pleasingly non red solitude of the Plaza 4 Theatres watching "The Wild Life." Consider my plight. I brought with me a lot of preconceived ideas about the film. You can expect four things from high school sex romp flicks: Inane dialogue, 67 references to either pot or beer, approx imately 1 2 total seconds of female nudity, and guys treating girls like dirt. With all that weighing heavily on my judgment, how could I be objective and fair? I couldn't, so I didn't bother trying. if r Movie .eview Left start with the good points of the film. I have no choice but to be brief. Christopher Penn, brother of Sean Penn, is semi-entertaining as the party-minded protagonist Tommy. It seems unfair that Penn should have to make his debut in what amounts to an imitation of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (made by the producers of this movie and starring his brother), but maybe this was his only chance. Rick Moranis of "SCTV and "Ghostbus ters" turns in a good performances as an obnoxiously stylish department store supervisor. Note to Rick: In the future, please refrain from frittering your talents away on bit parts for dumb movies. Thank you. I joined the hordes of satisfied Big Red fans outside the theater with a very pro nounced sense of incompleteness. Maybe it's just me, but it has always been my f ' f X . ? : . - ' ft " t ; t. 4 . !t - J I , . I 1 f . . .. i 7 k I f "4. Fhoto Courtesy of Universal City Studios Tom Drake (Christopher Penn) makes a peace offering to Ms girlfriend, Eileen FMIlfpa (Jsszy Writ) la "Tfce Wild Life." understanding that movies need to have plots. And try as I may, I just cant seem to figure out what "The Wild Life" was about There's Tommy's turbulent love life, his roommate Bill's girlfriend's on-the-sly dealings with a conniving police officer whose only intention is to take advantage of her, and Tommy's brother's obsession with Vietnam (which goes nowhere). The only common thread I can see that gives these any semblance of cohesiveness is the fact that each involves a guy treating a girl like a mindless sex object. Of course, most of the leading ladies' minds are remarkably uncluttered by brains, but the sex object mentality doesnt need a boost to perpetuate itself. I neglected to mention one element of a good sexploitation film. A solid score of hits, both new and classic, is always a must. Bananarama, with the title song, and Use Human League add their two cents here. And to fill the oldies quota, Jimi Hendrix, Steppenwolf and Buffalo Springfield are sadly associated with this pre-formulated garbage. Each night I pray that movies like "The Wild Life" will someday stop coming, or at least choose to infect another planet Each morning I'm disappointed. - - ESSE f TV -S ri ;'-. J WW) J 'Wpi a ! iihwi i iV,'"' . ...... A 1 j 1-, 1 -, II j Tlsi' I LL i,tG iff vT . Wv bV r'u if 1 1 inincetoEr EhsiTcr'a you write hha oft Maybs there b -v..v i vMjy sain ta sucn a wav tntit i!t' uii. u a na aiimittea tr.it tust he is a loser, only brirs voar ha b an ccholic, it b a much own ignorance to the. surfa hir ummmi-mzn any- You obiously dont -know th thing he could do academfcallv. first. th ru., iAAv.-nM It ccund: he has .taken the IssttMir.gweneedStodob-Alco-nrst step. If you giw up on hm, hoi Awareness Week" bp?rpctu-' youwe the phoney friend. If yea ate myti-is about dechccs. I fcer cant sea through the surface I am an alcoholic too. IVe been veneer cfes-and-chett-eno-osh exactly where "Uovd" b noW to understand what he's going through, then.'.ms'be it's best i! .. , , Centiscsd ca rc.-2 14