Harriet C. Leider Movies
A man discovers that what he doesn't know can hurt him, especially when it comes to his wife, in this suspense drama. Ray Reardon (James Spader) is an architect who has just gone through a messy divorce; while his friends sing the praises of the single life, Ray would prefer to settle into a life of middle-class domesticity with a home, wife, and family. Ray meets a beautiful but mysterious woman named Lena (Madchen Amick) at a party, and for him it's love at first sight; while she remains elusive, Ray pursues her avidly, and before long he proposes, even though he doesn't know her especially well. A few years later, they're seemingly happily married with children. But Lena's behavior starts to become erratic and depressive, and she is no longer willing to account for where she's been or what she's been doing. Ray is convinced that Lena has been having an affair and begins doing some research into her past; he soon discovers her previous life bears little resemblance to what she told him and that she's been lying to him about nearly every part of her history and their relationship. Lena contends that she's just "a regular screwed-up person," but in time, Ray realizes that there's a purpose behind her duplicity: she's trying to convince people that he is insane. Dream Lover was the directorial debut of screenwriter Nicholas Kazan. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Spader, Mädchen Amick, (more)
- 1993
When a group of women invade the sanctity of Al's bowling alley and favorite nudie bar, Al (Ed O'Neill) retaliates by creating his own anti-feminist group, the National Organization of Men Against Amazonian Masterhood--or NO MA'AM for short. The group's first act is to stage a coup at the TV talk show "The Masculine Feminist", bind and gag host Jerry Springer--yes, THAT Jerry Springer--and deliver their macho manifesto. Dan Tullis Jr. makes his first series appearance as Officer Dan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
While Next Generation began its run with a two-part episode, and it trafficked in two-part season-ending "cliffhangers," this was the series' first "sweeps week" two-parter. It also represented the return of Leonard Nimoy in the role of the supremely logical Mr. Spock. Now an ambassador of the Federation, Spock curiously embarks upon an unauthorized mission to the hostile planet Romulus. Disguising themselves as Romulans, Picard and Data investigate Spock's highly unorthodox behavior. Just when it seems that an explanation is at hand, the picture freezes, and the viewer is told to return next week. Mark Lenard, who like Leonard Nimoy was a veteran of the original Star Trek, recreates his familiar role as Spock's father Sarek. First aired November 9, 1991, part one of "Unification" carried a pre-show dedication to Gene Roddenberry, who had died eleven days earlier. The episode was written by Jeri Taylor from a story by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Harvey Fierstein's Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway hit was adapted for the screen by Fierstein himself. The playwright also repeats his stage role of female impersonator Arnold Beckoff, aka nightclub entertainer "Virginia Hamm." The three-part plotline, whittled down to accommodate the film's 117-minute running time, concerns Arnold's seriocomic efforts to find a lasting relationship. We first meet Arnold in 1971, when his heart is broken by his bisexual lover (Brian Kerwin). Next we find Arnold in 1973, enjoying short-lived happiness with his true love (Matthew Broderick). The final act takes place in 1980: Arnold, still grieving over Broderick's sudden death and struggling to raise the young boy that the couple had adopted, has a long-anticipated showdown with his uncompromising mother, superbly played by Anne Bancroft. A witty film that is by turns touching and outrageous, Torch Song Trilogy works well despite its somewhat soft-pedaled approach to the material. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anne Bancroft, Matthew Broderick, (more)
