‘True Believer*succeeds as a gripping crime drama
By Sarah Knight
Staff Reporter
“True Believer” is a gripping,
and at limes hilarious crime drama
directed by Joseph Ruben who also
directed ‘‘The Stepfather” and
“Dreamscape.”
The story begins as Roger Baron
(Robert Downey Jr.), a frcsh-out-of
college law graduate comes to New
York to work under Eddie Dodd
(James Woods). Dodd is a cynical
and not wholly respectable defense
attorney who smokes pot and defends
clients he knows are guilty.
Formerly a man who fought for
and believed in “lost causes,” Dodd
has grown bitter over the years and
now assumes and accepts the fact that
his clients are never innocent.
Baron’s idealism convinces him
to take the case of convicted mur
derer Shu Kai Kim (Yuji Okumoto)
whose mother has come to Dodd for
help. She says that her son was
wrongly imprisoned and she wishes
to re-open his case.
Baron and Dodd are joined in thcii
fight by Kitty Greer (Margarel
Colin), one of Dodd’s personal inves
tigators.
The audience is then led through
the trial, discovering evidence along
with Dodd and Baron. The plot keeps
the audience guessing while remain
ing understandable.
_- •-—
Woods gives his usual outstanding
performance (this one may lead him
to an Oscar next year) by keeping a
subtle sense of controlled fury. At
times he lashes out, but immediately
regains his cool -- warning, almost
daring anyone to cross him.
Downey is every bit his equal as
the two wage the war between naiv
ety and worldliness. The supporting
cast members arc up to what the
scripts demands, but it is Woods and
Downey who lake the show.
The film escapes becoming a run
of-the-mill underworld/courtroom
movie by not taking itself too seri
ously. Humor is thrown in at all the
right places.
Writer Wesley Strick should be
kui al nccioc"
recognized for his witty and engross
ing script. Strick took more than three
years to write ‘ ‘True Believer’ ’ and it
is obvious. For once, cleverness re
places constant repetition of four-let
ter words.
There is a smoky quality to the
film, giving it a steamy feel and tak
ing the audience right into the pulse
of New York City.
The film is about lost and regained
values and shows the necessity of
both idealism and cynicism to make
society work.
Not without flaw, however, the
film culminates in a rather corny
manner that painfully reminds us that
what we arc watching is illusion.
It is enough to say that life doesn’t
always have a happy ending -- unlike
what Hollywood wants us believe.
And, of course, the film doesn’t
escape without the use of stereotypes.
The prosecuting attorney Robert
Reynard (Kurtwood Smith) is the
overused, bad-guy caricature who
will step on anyone’s toes to gain
success.
‘‘True Believer” is rated R for
some rather graphic violence and a
bit of foul language and is now show -
ing at the Douglas 3 Theaters, 13th
and P streets.
at hv Ken KdVQS DiS
vm 1111 ■'11 ' " 111111 Courtesy of CoTuncbia Pictures
James Woods as Eddie Dodd in ‘‘True Believer.”
Here's what's happening at The Zoo
Tonight and Saturday, 9-1.00, $3
THE REGULATORS
Mon.. Tues.. Feb. 27-28.Johnny Reno and the Sax Maniacs
Wed.. March 1.....Buddy Miles (tent.)
please call 435-8754 for info
Thurs.. March 2.The Dynatones
Fri.. Sat., March 3-4.Caribe
The Zoo Bar 136 No. 14th
III 101 N. 27th 476-1566 |!j
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SPECIAUZED
SALE!
Snow, mud, hills and curbs.
Specialized mountain bikes
handle It all! And now at Cycle
Works, every Specialized moun
tain bike in stock is 20% off/ This
weekend only, Thursday, Febru
ary 23-Sunday, February 28, at
both Cycle Works locations.
OMMW 27th i Vina Straati 475-BIKE JF ~
11 f/.flMW Mon-Sal 8to6- Sun 11 to 5 7^
■nWafPWI 56t/i A Sout/i Straatt 483-2452
H Mon-Sat 9 to 6 - Sun 12 to 5 *1
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* • • ii,t! i \ A' f nu'1 I lit u '
FOR SALE
88 Trek '000.60 cm, aluminum frame 472 3057 or 483
0632.
2 Pioneer floor-style three way speakers. 150W, 32
20 OOOHi $200 set 476 2226, 472 5483
Manual typewriter ribbons 53 cents each (tax included)
Daily Nebraskan office, basement of the Nebraska Un
ion. 4/2 2588
Nikon Speodlght (dedicated) SB-20 mint * case $170,
herman kardon PM 645 hgh current - low negative
feedback, stereo integrated ampler only $270. tOOft of
T Max professional 400ASA. $20. 472-0745
VEHICLES FOR SALE =
1970 BMW 3201.59,000 milee. excellent condition Must
see to appreciate 483-0231 atier 6 or weekends
TICKET EXCHANGE ~~
American Express round trp air voucher wanted. 476
3914.
SERVICES
GUITAR INSTRUCTION
Beginners or Advanced
7AGEP STUDIO
423-2700
Have a song you'd Ike to Record? Need to make a lap*
lor your band? We can make excellent Reoordings at
only$10asong Instruments and musicians abailableat
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474-4136 _
GERMAN TUTORING
476 2670
A comic love triangle Irom a Mad Madrid shows Sunday
only at Sheldon-3,5,7 and 9pm ’A presentation ot UPC
Foreign Film Series
ENGINEERS WEEK 89
Engineers Open House starts today in Walter Scott
Engineering Center
Friday. Feb 24, 1 00 8:00 pm
Saturday. Feb 25, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Come and see the protects and displays1
FRIDAY FUCK
The Hiding Place
Fri Feb 24. 7-45 PM
CORNERSTONE
640 N. 16
WELCOME
HEY: UNL Women s Gymnastics Team is Stud. so come
watch them on Sunday become the #1 team in the
national
See ya thera, Gymmees
IMPACTMembeii
Call the IMPACT party hotlmelll
472-7004
INDOOR TRACK MEETING
The intramural indoor track meet will be held Sunday. 2/
26 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Track wil open at
1:30 pm. Enter on site Inquiries: 472-3487.
Intramural entry
DEADLINES
Tuesday. 2/28, • the entry deadline lor the toHowmg
intramural activities: on-rec indoor wiillsbsll tournament;
men's, women's and oo-rec raoquetbal doubles, and 9
ball pool Entries wil' be accepted in Ihe Campus Racrea
tion Ottices. 1740 Vme Street and 32 ECAB. Inquiries:
472 3467
irk
LUTHERAN COLLEGIANS
Meet at Ml. Olive the Sunday at 3:46 pm lor lour trip.
PAUL MITCHELL J DEMONSTRATION
Friday and Saturday 11 00 - 3.00 at Lincoln Square Food
Court. Lower Level, Dillards, 13th 8 O
cover the path to higher consciousness through several
methods used by most major philosophies. Keyes is
author oI "The Hundredth Monkey" and Handbook To
Higher Consciousness." Friday February 24th at 7 p.m,
Christ Unity Church, 31st & P Streets. No charge all
welcome.
★
IMPACT Member*
Call the IMPACT party holirneHl
472 7004
GREEK AFFAIRS
Be a Greek Week committee chair or member I Applica
tions due in NU 332 Friday, February 24I
Brian.
The B.E.E.R. Party is meeting Sunday night at Delta
Up*ilon Tel your Inond* to be there at 800
Jon
Congratulations to the following people selected to at
tend the Chi Phi National Congress Sean, Craig. Paul
and Chuck Alternates: Soott and Brett
The Men of Chi Phi
This week the B.E.E.R. Party e at the Delta Upeilon. Be
there around 800 on Sunday.
Brian
Judy P.
Congratulation* on being accepted to Dental Hygiene
Schoofl We're proud of you I
Love, The A-PhTs
★ ★
Phi Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon announces the TKE
Midwest Invitational Basketball Tournament TKE Chap
ters from universities all over the midwest gather in
Linooln this weekend for some fine competition Games
begin Friday evening at the Nebraska Wesleyan Field
house _ _
SAE's,
Thanks for the TicketsI We loved the garrol
Love, The A-Phi *
Sigma Nu.
Thank* for the fun initiation last week I We love you
guysl
Your Little Sisters
VEIN DRAIN ‘89
TYPING & RESUMES
EXHAUSTED' FRUSTRATED! NO TIME'
We do Papers. Thesis, Dissertations. Reports. Long.
Short Term Projects, Resumes/Letters'Envelopes
Great rates, prompt service
COMPUTER TYPE A SERVICES
478TYPE
1AM OUE STREET _
Quality Typing Service. Class papers to dissertations.
Reliable, personable service Call Christy 472-1152 or
477 258a
Resumes
Protessionally typeset SIS plus tai Daily Nebraekan,
basement ot the Nebraska Union. 1400 R Street
Wi do TERM PAPERS. RESUMES. A VARIOUS TYP
ALPMA ZITA SPAGHETTI PEED
Sunday. February 2Aih. 8:00 7 00 PM, East Carrwus
Wt.on Crteteria. <3 80 m advance* 00 at the doorTw
tickets call Jaokie at 472-0M8
CAT SHOW
VEIN DRAIN ‘89
SUE TIOBALL AWARD
FOR
CREATIVE HUMANITY
NOMINATIONS DUE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1
For information and forma,
call 476 0366
Unlveralty Program* Council
lnv«a* you to b* a part of aomalhing groat Executive
Committee, Foreign Film*, Fr*o Umvordly, Modal Untied
Nation*, Talk* 1 Topic*, Waln.'gunaoM, Special
Even!*, KimbalM ied Performing An*, Women'i Word*
A Mu»c. Coi.tge, Kal*Hi>*uop*. Sight* t Bound*.
Dance* 6 Comttoak. Mama Event*. An* 6 Craft*, Chi
oano Special Event*, Native American Special Event*,
Black Special Event*. Aaian Amerioan. Cnicano. Native
American t Black Entertainment
Chair Application* Available In CAP Office
Ou* March 16
VEIN DRAIN ‘89
PERSONALS •
Lunow Students:
Wo the men end women ot HERO (the Het*ros*»ual
r due onal Resource Organization), are tormina a new
coal jH In the interest ot representing what we Tael are
thp ent majorityl If you are as compelled .is we are to
sn» ik out tor H«terose>ual Right*, call 475-1396 or
speak with any HERO member We re out therel
Victor A Hawkins
Do: tor Scooter,
Happy Birthday Sunday the 26th. the big 191 I love
you , ots tons-bunches I
Love. Gonzo Seeker
Crystal:
Happy 201 hi You can use my bed anytime! (Espe
ctally after this celebrationI)
love. Bob
-Mendeth,
A tongawaited 21 st Birthday. I know it's going to be
special Remember only one drink...
Love ya. Chris
Stephanie (Fun in Coloredo),
We talked in the Union Wednesday at 10 30. Inter
asted in going out’'? R.V P.
Eric (Bonng in Nebraska)
Boo.
I can't bekeve you're turning 21. We re really getting
old and I'm already older than you. YouVe been my
closest and dears*l luend tor 11 years and I don t oar* if
you are an S A Wa'ra going to celebrate your birthday as
all 21 -year-old* should even 4 we have to dnve you to
another city. Happy Birthday T-Birdl
All My Lova. Ma.
BLOOM COUNTY_by B*rke Breathed
wet imrTrfike a f/eip\
me to J mr to
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