Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 21, 1981)
Peeping Tom Directed by Michael Powell Playing at The Bijou The title Peeping Tom evokes a sexual allusion of one who derives sensual pleasures from observing others. Yet director Michael Powell’s film quickly defers this clandestine activity, and creates a lurid, thriller plot — without the sex. While Peeping Tom lacks the subtlety of a convincing thriller, La Cage Aux Folles II Starring Michel Serrault and Ugo Tognazzi Directed by Edouard Molinaro Playing at Valley River Twin Calling La Cage Aux Folles II a disappointment wouldn’t be fair, but then again calling it a sequel wouldn’t be entirely fair either. Scriptwriter Francis Verber takes the cast of La Cage Aux Folles I and thrusts them head long into a farce that resembles an American production rather than a French-ltalian produc tion. Michel Serrault plays Albin, a transvestite who performs in a nightclub that is owned by Ren ato (Ugo Tognazzi). Albin is de spondent over the notion that Renato no longer finds him at tractive and sets out to seduce virile young men in the sidewalk cafes of Nice. Albin is picked up by a man who turns out to be a spy. Min utes later the spy turns out to be a corpse. Before long Albin and Renato (who is never far behind) are caught up in the old spy ring versus spy ring plot complete with cyanide darts, multiple corpses, chase scenes and, yes, the ''microfeelm” is what everyone is after. The couple eventually man ages to evade spies and federal agents to flee to northern Italy where they hide out with Rena to’s mother, who runs a small ranch. Albin, now posing as Renato’s new bride, can’t win as it proceeds at an absurdly de tached pace — almost as if it were a recurrring terrible dream. To start, photographer Mark Lewis portrays a psychotic voyeur who films women while he's murdering them. His role as the killer is evident from the beginning, for Powell's intent is to dispel motivation as the source of the film’s mystique rather than the identity of the killer. he experiences the hardships of being a fieldhand's wife. La Cage Aux Folles II will ap peal to a different audience than its predecessor. The subtle humor is replaced by an overt humor that sometimes ap proaches slapstick. The thin strand of plausibility that ran throughout La Cage Aux Folles I is replaced by an uninhibited plot that builds on a series of Hollywood cliches. La Cage Aux Folles II is not, however, without its great moments: A scene in which a group of French federal agents learn to walk with an air of ef feminacy is particularly funny. The key, according to Albin, is a limp wrist and the ability to walk “the tight rope between male and female.” Females, by the way, don’t figure into the plot of La Cage Aux Folles II too well. Only one woman has a speaking role — that is if you consider a dozen lines a speaking role. The acting in La Cage Aux Folles II is superb. Serrault's acting abilities shine again as he plays Albin, but some of the credit must go to director Edouard Molinaro for milking the transvestite theme. Tognaz zi is equally capable as the other leading man. For those who love farce La Cage Aux Folles II should not be missed, but for those expecting the subtle humor and innovative subject matter c’est la vie. — Paul Feist CrC^cs'^sa? zcr~<zr Lewis is the victim of a child hood experiment. His father, a noted psychologist, had recorded the growth of his son, filming the boy’s reaction to fear in varied and contrived settings. Lewis' demented state is a re sult of the experiment. At times the film seems almost surreal as it follows Lewis through his daily movements, living life from behind the lens of a movie camera. Yet, the char acters are unconvincing; mock terror in victim’s faces is prevalent as Lewis attempts to induce fear before killing them. A change in Lewis’ life occurs when he meets tenant Helen Stephens, who attempts to reach Lewis with compassion and ardor, and actually suc ceeds, causing him to re evaluate his life many murders too late. Stephens is accom panied by her clairvoyant, blind mother who steals into Lewis' dark room: a secret chamber of cameras, films and projectors; a manifestation of the abysmal complexities within the photo grapher’s mind. While Lewis' absurd condi tion is real enough, the rest of the cast seems pretentious and contrived. The laconic dialogue between characters is static and only the aloof Lewis is able to carry the film into a decisive realm — one of humorous fear and relative illusion. — James Jiler PRE-MEMORIAL DAY SALE ALL SWIMSUITS 20% OFF! Choose from our entire collection of misses swimsuits. Famous brands, exciting styles. Sizes 6-16. T-SHIRTS Reg. 6.00 NOW 3.90 Cool poly/cotton cap sleeve tee-shirts. Summer pastels and brights. S, M, L. SPORTSWEAR SHIRTS — short sleeves SALE stripes and checks. S, M, L . 14.00-15.00 ... 8.90 GAUZE TOPS-natural and vegetable dyes . 16.00-19.00. . . . 10.90 CHEENOSJEANS 5 pocket denim jean 100% cotton. Sizes 5-13 . 25.00_14.90 SUMMER SEPARATES Tops, pants, and skirts . 1/3 OFF DRESSES JUNIOR DRESSES T-Shirt dresses and sundresses, sizes 5-13 . 28.00-36.00. ... 19.90 LINGERIE AND ACCESSORIES TERRY ROBES and SWIMSUIT COVERS long and short styles 28.00-38.00. ... 18.90-25.90 TRICOT BABY DOLLS ... 9.00-22.00_5.90-14.90 BIKINIS and BRIEFS Sizes 5-7 . 3.00-3.50.3/5.90 SUNSENSOR SUNGLASSES . 16.00 7.99 WESTERN STRAW HATS . 10.00-17.00. ... 1/3 OFF
