NEW YORK -- God takes some heat in Michael Tolkin's sure-to-be controversial ''The Rapture, '' a film that, like a new religion, will have some believers but many detractors.
Currently being screened at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center as part of the New York Film Festival, ''The Rapture'' is most notable for the far-reaching performance of Mimi Rogers. In what must certainly be her most difficult role to date, she meets the challenge head on and comes out victorious. It's as if this experience has turned her into a born-again actress.
Rogers plays Sharon, a bored Los Angeles telephone operator. The cool, mood-setting opening shot of cubicle after cubicle filled with operators effectively conveys the tediousness of her job. ''Operator 134. What city please? Business or residence? Hold for the number, '' she repeats five times in the span of a minute. We gain a new respect for the endurance of our operators.
In complete contrast to her mundane days, Sharon fills her nights with sexually dangerous adventures. She and her partner, Vic (Patrick Bauchau), cruise the streets and bars of Los Angeles looking for swinging couples. Apparently, it's quite easy to meet them, as Sharon and Vic need only two minutes to entice a couple back to Vic's place.
The detached eroticism of the orgy scene is well played by writer-director Tolkin. It conveys Sharon's ambiguousness about her acts and her life.
Meanwhile, at work Sharon overhears several co-workers secretly talking about their shared dreams about ''the pearl'' and ''the boy.'' It seems that the word is spreading, among true believers, that Christ is coming back to Earth and they must prepare for his return. Sharon, who despite her nightly indulgences is in constant despair, becomes obsessed with this message and gains a faith so strong she becomes an overnight convert. She wants redemption!
What follows for her, and the viewer, is a true test of faith. Sharon's belief in God is tested time and time again and results in a powerfully realized conflict. Much happens over the ensuing years, and the film changes from a spiritual suspenser into a sort of supernatural cliff-hanger. The transition, however, isn't a smooth one.
Tolkin tries to push things to the edge, but ends up going way over the top. There are too many changes in direction for both the film and its characters, as if he's trying to lose the viewer along the way. Unfortunately, he is almost totally successful.
Several scenes in ''The Rapture'' are completely captivating, such as the gut-wrenching climactic moment between Sharon and her daughter, Mary (Kimberly Cullum), in the desert.
Too much of the film, however, involves waiting. Not only waiting for God, but waiting for something to happen and eventually just waiting for it all to end.
''The Rapture'' is a mixed bag of goodies and not-so-goodies. For some it will be worth weeding through just to get to Rogers' convincing performance, and perhaps for Tolkin's ambitious intentions. You will, however, need a machete.
THE RAPTURE
A Fine Line Features Release
Director-writer Michael Tolkin
Director of photography Bojan Bazelli
Editor Suzanne Fenn
Music Thomas Newman
Executive producer Laurie Parker
Color
Cast:
Sharon Mimi Rogers
Randy David Duchovny
Vic Patrick Bauchau
Mary Kimberly Cullum
Sheriff Foster Will Patton
Angie Carol Davis
Running time -- 102 minutes
No MPAA rating
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
Currently being screened at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center as part of the New York Film Festival, ''The Rapture'' is most notable for the far-reaching performance of Mimi Rogers. In what must certainly be her most difficult role to date, she meets the challenge head on and comes out victorious. It's as if this experience has turned her into a born-again actress.
Rogers plays Sharon, a bored Los Angeles telephone operator. The cool, mood-setting opening shot of cubicle after cubicle filled with operators effectively conveys the tediousness of her job. ''Operator 134. What city please? Business or residence? Hold for the number, '' she repeats five times in the span of a minute. We gain a new respect for the endurance of our operators.
In complete contrast to her mundane days, Sharon fills her nights with sexually dangerous adventures. She and her partner, Vic (Patrick Bauchau), cruise the streets and bars of Los Angeles looking for swinging couples. Apparently, it's quite easy to meet them, as Sharon and Vic need only two minutes to entice a couple back to Vic's place.
The detached eroticism of the orgy scene is well played by writer-director Tolkin. It conveys Sharon's ambiguousness about her acts and her life.
Meanwhile, at work Sharon overhears several co-workers secretly talking about their shared dreams about ''the pearl'' and ''the boy.'' It seems that the word is spreading, among true believers, that Christ is coming back to Earth and they must prepare for his return. Sharon, who despite her nightly indulgences is in constant despair, becomes obsessed with this message and gains a faith so strong she becomes an overnight convert. She wants redemption!
What follows for her, and the viewer, is a true test of faith. Sharon's belief in God is tested time and time again and results in a powerfully realized conflict. Much happens over the ensuing years, and the film changes from a spiritual suspenser into a sort of supernatural cliff-hanger. The transition, however, isn't a smooth one.
Tolkin tries to push things to the edge, but ends up going way over the top. There are too many changes in direction for both the film and its characters, as if he's trying to lose the viewer along the way. Unfortunately, he is almost totally successful.
Several scenes in ''The Rapture'' are completely captivating, such as the gut-wrenching climactic moment between Sharon and her daughter, Mary (Kimberly Cullum), in the desert.
Too much of the film, however, involves waiting. Not only waiting for God, but waiting for something to happen and eventually just waiting for it all to end.
''The Rapture'' is a mixed bag of goodies and not-so-goodies. For some it will be worth weeding through just to get to Rogers' convincing performance, and perhaps for Tolkin's ambitious intentions. You will, however, need a machete.
THE RAPTURE
A Fine Line Features Release
Director-writer Michael Tolkin
Director of photography Bojan Bazelli
Editor Suzanne Fenn
Music Thomas Newman
Executive producer Laurie Parker
Color
Cast:
Sharon Mimi Rogers
Randy David Duchovny
Vic Patrick Bauchau
Mary Kimberly Cullum
Sheriff Foster Will Patton
Angie Carol Davis
Running time -- 102 minutes
No MPAA rating
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
- 10/1/1991
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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