Unsuccessful New York pianist Timothy Hutton (as Willie Conway) returns to small town Knight's Ridge, Massachusetts. There, Mr. Hutton will attend his high school reunion, and consider both a career change and marriage, to his lawyer girlfriend (Annabeth Gish). Hutton reconnects with childhood buds Matt Dillon (as Tommy "Birdman" Rowland), Michael Rapaport (as Paul Kirkwood), Noah Emmerich (as Michael "Mo" Morris), and Max Perlich (as Kev). Hutton also meets his new neighbor, 13-year-old Natalie Portman (as Marty); and, the two are mutually attracted.
Ted Demme's "Beautiful Girls" is less about the title, and more about four men in the elongated winter of their staggered comings of age. Mr. Emmerich, a father, is the farthest along; and, Mr. Perlich is still a child. The other three men have more interesting stories. The most intriguing is the touchingly written (by Scott Rosenberg) "romance" between Hutton and Ms. Portman. But, the best "story" is the secondary one performed by Mr. Dillon, who must face the fact that he reached his peak of popularity in high school, and will find more happiness being common.
Mr. Rapaport's gives the film's most satisfying performance; it's an even greater achievement, when you consider the stellar cast. It helps that snow-plowing Rapaport seems to be the right age for his part. Like Dillon's "Tommy", Rapaport's character matures; although, instead of realizing the "Beautiful Girl", he favored fantasizing. Rosie O'Donnell's bombastic explanation of the idealized "Penthouse" model is a highlight. The cast may be too star-studded for the film's own good; which is, perhaps, why some of the film's relationships are not entirely convincing. Still, the direction (by Ted Demme), stories (Rosenberg), and several performances, are excellent.
******* Beautiful Girls (1996) Ted Demme ~ Timothy Hutton, Matt Dillon, Michael Rapaport
Ted Demme's "Beautiful Girls" is less about the title, and more about four men in the elongated winter of their staggered comings of age. Mr. Emmerich, a father, is the farthest along; and, Mr. Perlich is still a child. The other three men have more interesting stories. The most intriguing is the touchingly written (by Scott Rosenberg) "romance" between Hutton and Ms. Portman. But, the best "story" is the secondary one performed by Mr. Dillon, who must face the fact that he reached his peak of popularity in high school, and will find more happiness being common.
Mr. Rapaport's gives the film's most satisfying performance; it's an even greater achievement, when you consider the stellar cast. It helps that snow-plowing Rapaport seems to be the right age for his part. Like Dillon's "Tommy", Rapaport's character matures; although, instead of realizing the "Beautiful Girl", he favored fantasizing. Rosie O'Donnell's bombastic explanation of the idealized "Penthouse" model is a highlight. The cast may be too star-studded for the film's own good; which is, perhaps, why some of the film's relationships are not entirely convincing. Still, the direction (by Ted Demme), stories (Rosenberg), and several performances, are excellent.
******* Beautiful Girls (1996) Ted Demme ~ Timothy Hutton, Matt Dillon, Michael Rapaport