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Another review, another pic.
05:30 a.m. November 30, 2002
Craggy Jagger saves "The Man from Elysian Fields"
By Molly Snyder Edler
On Milwaukee
Anyone who's ever had to make ends meet will find the new film, "The Man from Elysian Fields," amusing.
Andy Garcia plays fledgling novelist Byron Tiller who is unable to unsuccessfully pitch his second manuscript to his publisher and, supposedly out of desperation to support his loving wife (Julianna Margulies) and young son, plunges into a world of male prostitution.
The film suggest that because Tiller cannot sell his novel -- and because he once quit an advertising copywriter job on bad terms -- he is unable to work as a writer in any way and therefore must entertain the idea of being a male "escort." Unfortunately, we don't get to know Tiller well enough to understand why he would make this leap, which consequently, seems unreasonable. Surely he could have accepted an unglamorous writing job just to make ends meet?
However, although Tiller's decision is unbelievable, it does allow us to enjoy Mick Jagger's character, Luther Fox. The two meet in a bar and Tiller is charmed by Fox after he claims to have read his bargain bin first novel, "Hitler's Child."
After a couple of hours of conversation, Fox offers Tiller the opportunity to work for him at a place called Elysian Fields, a male escort service that provides sex and companionship for very wealthy women.
Tiller, although hesitant at first, decides to take Fox up on his offer. He doesn't, however, tell his wife about his new gig, rather fibs that he's out every night sealing on a deal with the Book of the Month people. Sadly, Margulies' fickle character buys it.
Fox assigns Tiller to Andrea (Olivia Williams), a young, beautiful woman who is married to one of Tiller's writing mentors, Tobias Talcott. Talcott is dying and has given Andrea his blessing to fulfill her sexual needs with other men. Tiller quickly becomes intertwined with both Talcotts, sexually with the Mrs. and professionally to the ailing Mr. who has clearly lost his inspiration and is in need of creative assistance.
The film is, at times, way too sentimental, even for the mushy types, and much of it is unbelievable, but the acting, aside from the annoying Margulies, is good. Garcia does the best one could expect with a character that's underdeveloped and contrived and Mick Jagger is perfect for the incredibly complex and mysterious character. His British speaking voice is music to the ears, and as an actor, Jagger was able to transcend his image as the satisfaction-less rocker.
"The Man From Elysian Fields" opens Fri., Nov. 29 at the Oriental Theatre.
On Milwaukee
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Perhaps at last a worthy successor to �Performance�? (�Bent was superb, but Mick�s part small). Andy Garcia is always excellent. |
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