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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 26, 1995)
Courtesy of Universal Pictures An unlikely friendship between two 11-year-old boys leads to a grand adventure in “The Cure,” starring Joseph Mazzello (top) and Brad Renfro (bottom). “Cure” explores ills of society nim Joel Strauch Critic “The Cure” is an enjoyable film that deals with some relevant so cial issues. But if you go see it, try to be in a positive mood, because you probably won’t be in one by the time you leave the theater. The story is very touching. Erik (Brad Renfro, “The Client”) be friends his neighbor, Dexter (Jo seph Mazzello, “Jurassic Park”), an 11 -year-old who has contracted AIDS through a blood transfu sion. Erik faces alienation from kids at school and punishment from his mom, but he suffers through it all because of his friendship with Dexter. Erik becomes conscious of Dexter’s illness and becomes ob sessed with finding a cure. The two boys watch “The Medicine Man” and Erik experi ments with local plant life in a similar fashion. Erik’s mom (Diana Scarwid) finds out about their friendship when one of Erik’s plant concoc tions makes Dexter sick. She decides to send him away to summer camp to keephimaway from Dexter and his illness. Instead, Erik and Dexter take off cm the Mississippi River in The Facts Film: “The Cure” Stars: Joseph Mazzello, Brad Renfro, Annabella Sciorra Director: Peter Horton Rating: PG-13 Grade: B Five Words: Bring a box of kleenex. search of a cure for AIDS that someone has supposedly found in the bayous of Louisiana. The two solidify their friend ship as they adventure down die river together. Of course, the movie has to have its social commentary. And it is very positive commentary. It deals heavily with the intense prejudice people with AIDS are forced to deal with on a daily basis. Duringone excellent scene, the local bullies are getting ready to beat up Erik and Dexter because of Dexter’s virus. But Erik compares Dexter to the brother of the lead bully, who had just returned from the hospi tal. His soliloquy touches the au dience —even the bully, making everyone think about the frighten ing universality of the disease. If Dexter can be affected, anyone can. Another scene in the movie is much more frightening. A hood lum who ripped off the two boys and who they have ripped off in turn, comers them ana is begin ning to be violent. Dexter cuts his hand and threat ens to mix his blood with that of the thug. Erik calls him a superhero, but Dexter begins to realize the hor rific potential that he is dealing with, both for himself and for oth ers. The excellent acting in the film helps pronounce its tragic believ ability. Mazzello is superb as a young boy who is horribly aware of his mortality and how to cope with it. And at the same time, Renfro helps the audience overlook the fact of the disease and see Dexter for what he really is — an 11 year-old boy who wants to experi ence the most out of tire rest of his life. “The Cure” is a buddy movie that viewers can relate to and in many ways, would be scared to. Couple finds fun as ‘Cheeseheads’ ay jen Hanaaii Staff Reporter Lou and Peter Berryman have spent the last 32 years as friends and a brief stint as marriage part ners, a long and impressive track record for any two people. But they are considerably more famous for their 18 years as “The Wisconsin Cheeseheads.” After meet ing as stu dents in an art class in 1963, Lou and Peter, whose short marriage ended long ago, went on to form a number of bands, resulting in their current setup with Lou playing piano and accordion and Peter playing 12 string guitar. They share singing and songwriting duties. “We are collaborators in nearly every respect,” Lou said in a tele phone interview. “And that al lows us to criticize each other and make suggestions without any body getting their feelings hurt.” She said their musical style was > difficult for her to pigeonhole, although most people tended to classify them quite easily. “It’s a little hard to define” Lou said. “We’re humorous, and people like to call us folk musi cians, so we’ve had no problem with that. “A lot of our songs are satiri cal, but a lot of others are just plain funny.” The Berrymans have steadily acquired a loyal following, as is evidenced by their sax consecu tive first-place finishes for folk music in Wisconsin’s Isthmus Annual Peoples’ Choice Awards. Getting die chance to perform those songs in front of audiences, she said, is the duo’s favorite as pect of the musicians’ life. This love is evidenced by their regular appearances at folk festi vals and coffeehouse concerts. “Performing and meeting the people who listen to our music is by far the best part,” she said. Lou described their perfor mances as lighthearted and ener getic. “We talk a little; we sing a little. No matter where we are, we try to make the audience feel like they are important to us,” she said. “And they are, so it’s not too dif ficult.” But live performances and au dience gratification aren’t the only rewards of musicianship. “We also really get into the songwriting,” she said. “If s some thingthat a lot of people don’t like as much, but we love it.” Lou said their muses were more often hard-sought than divinely inspired. See FOLK on 10 Duffy’s welcomes Womanstock, NOW By Jeff Randall Staff Reporter Woinanstock, a benefit event for the Lincoln chapter of the National Organization for Women, will be held tonight at Duffy’s, 1412 O St., from 8 to midnight. Local bands Cool Riddum, Alias Jane and Lavender Couch will perform and a silent auction will also take place. "" Eldonna Rayburn, assistant coordinator for the Lincoln chap ter of NOW, said tonight’s show would hopefully be as successful as last year’s event. “Last year, it was very good for the organization,” Rayburn said. “We nearly raised enough to cover the costs of running things for the entire year.” NOW is primarily an educa tion and information organization, she said. Influencing laws and spreading information are the group’s main tasks. “We ’re trying to make the pub lic aware of the various issues that face women,” Rayburn said. The three bands that will per form in tonight’s show are return ing after their performances in last year’s Womanstock, she said. “I don’t believe that any of the bands are active members of NOW,” Rayburn said. “But they are all involved in the same issues that we in the organization face on a regular basis. “They are members of the com munity, and they are women, so they are definitely involved in some way or another with what we deal with.” “Idon’t believe that any of the bands are active members of NOW. But they are all involved in the same issues that we in the organization face on a regular basis. ” m ELDONNA RAYBURN assistant coordinator for Lincoln’s NOW chapter The silent auction was made possible by donations from local businesses, she said. - “We basically just walked into local stores and asked if they wanted to give anything to help our cause,” Rayburn said. “For the most part, we had very posi tive responses. Attending tonight’s event would be another way to show support for NOW, she said. “These are three popular bands that people really like and who rarely all play together.” she said. “It’s going to be a lot of fim, and you’ll be able to help out a worthy cause.” Womanstock ’95 is open to those 21 years of age and over. Tickets are $6 and are available at the Albino Rhino, 101 N. 14 St., and Recycled Sounds, 824 P St. Tickets will also be sold at the show.