Movie Review
"Garbo Talks’’ of simple wants
By D. Dietrich
Of The Print
“Garbo Talks” is a refreshingly simple film
about simple needs. Amidst a sea of movies pos
ing loaded questions or bombarding you with
special effects, “Garbo Talks” maintains a
slow but steady pace with warmth and feeling.
Greta Garbo mesmerized many filmgoers
with her brooding expressions and deep voice
cooing lines like, “Give me a whiskey, ginger
ale on the side, and don’t be stingy, baby.” For
Estelle Roth, creatively portrayed by talented
actress Anne Bancroft, Garbo is the definitive
star to whom all other movie stars take an easy
second.
As Estelle, Bancroft portrays an aging
woman who has never been able to let an in
justice go unnoticed. She would rather go to jail
for an evening before paying an unwarranted
•64 cents extra for-vegetables. Her intense in
dependence has cost her one marriage and is a
constant source of embarrasment to her young
executive son, Gilbert.
Gilbert is tolerant of his mother but can’t
quite grasp her idea that. “No one should ever
be embarrassed.” Ron Silver plays the role of
Estelle’s son with occasional understated sen
sitivity but also gives an uninspiring perfor
mance. Silver is consistently outdone by
whoever he is sharing the screen with.
. For most of his life, Gilbert has been a basic
follower, but when he finds out his mother is
going to die of cancer within four to six mon
ths, following becomes a craft. His mother has
a special wish before she dies (not her last wish,
she insists), she wants to meet Garbo. Fine,
who doesn’t want to meet Garbo? The problem
is that Garbo has been a recluse for years and is
virtually never seen in public, let alone accep
ting visitors.
Gilbert is compelled to grant this one con
suming wish of his mother’s. He begins his
search with the hope that he will be able to
catch Miss Garbo in transit, because he’s
already discovered that she is totally inaccessi
ble when at home.
Gilbert’s search leads him to a has-been
photographer and his slumpy agent (played by
the brilliant Dorothy Loudon) for tips on track
ing someone who doesn’t wish to be seen. These
two characters are part of a series of colorful
performances that give delightful pieces of
character. Tony award winner Harvey Fiers-
tein, gives a heartwarming performance as a
lonely and compassionate homosexual who
helps Gilbert find Garbo’s home on Fire
Island.
As Gilbert’s search continues for months, he
not only loses precious time but, due to a grow
ing difference in life’s priorities, his wife
(played by Carrie Fisher), who goes back to
Daddy in California. Fisher’s part is very im
portant to the mood of the film for it is her bla
tant self-indulgence and cerebral inactivity that
lays down the cards for the audience to let them
know the director is attempting a comedic ef
fect.
A foil to Fisher’s character is the role of
Gilbert’s lover (played by Catherine Hicks),
who is a sensitive and supportive woman look
ing for self-fulfillment (and an acting job).
Although their personalities are completely op
posite, they are both given lines essential to the
comedic format of the film. Hick’s best line is
her answer to Gilbert’s statement that she pro
bably dates rich men. To this she answers,
“Rich men are so peculiar, they always order
California wine and then defend it.”
“Garbo Talks” does carry one message
throughout the film and that is the idea that
people need to cooperate and do a bit of both
giving and taking to understand each other.
Director Sidney Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon,
Network, The Verdict) handles the film as a
dramatic comedy with a light and charming
touch. There is the inevitable dark death scene
at the end but there are few if any tears shed
because a dying woman’s needs are met when
Garbo talks.
Agent Orange suit nears
possible disabilities stemming
from exposure to toxic
chemical herbicides. The most
common term was the
defoliant Agent Orange.
Agent Orange has been found
to be extremely toxic.
There are currently
numerous studies underway to
determine the extent of effects
caused by Agent Orange and
whether Vietnam veterans
have a valid complaint. The
Oregon legislature passed the
Vietnam Veterans Act of 1983
in order to provide further at
tention to veteran’s concerns.
The Vietnam War still lives
in the minds of many, but for
some the pain is perhaps
deeper. Deeper because the
physical problems incurred
while in Vietnam are posing
problems to veterans and their
families today.
During the 1983 legislative
session Vietnam veterans
directed legislators attention
to their growing concern of
Wednesday, November 21, 1984
Legislation has provided
that Oregon physicians submit
a report to the Health Division
when requested by a veteran,
surviving spouse or child of a
veteran if they exhibit symp
toms attributable to toxic
chemical herbicides. The divi
sion also has developed a
survey to gather statistical in
formation from Oregon’s-
Vietnam veteran population to
continue studies on possible
repercussions of exposure.
Approximately 107 million
pounds of herbicide was
sprayed in South Vietnam over
a nine year span. The chemical
compounds have been proven
to cause cancer in laboratory
animals as well as birth
defects. The specific effects on
humans is still inconclusive,
except for a skin condition
known as chlor acne.
A summary of, reported
Agent Orange symptons and
effects lists ailments ranging
from loss of appetite to severe
depression. Any veterans who
believe they were exposed to
Agent Orange are encouraged
to seek professional advice as
soon as possible and to fill out
a survey form by the health
division.
A class action suit is now
pending regarding the benefits
entitled to Vietnam veterans
should the effects of Agent
Orange be as great as
suspected. There is a filing
deadline of January 2 to be
eligible for benefits resulting
from exposure to Agent
Orange.
Although this deadline is an
important one, little informa
tion concerning the suit has
been publicized, even to
veterans. For more informa
tion on Agent Orange and
related action being taken,
write to the Oregon Depart
ment of Veteran Affairs, 700
Summer St. N.E., Suite 150,
Salem, Oregon 97310-1270 or
call 1-800-692-9666.
Artwork by Norm Bursheim, art department chairperson, is on
display in Pauling Center until Dec. 14. Other artists are includ
ed in the show “Norm Bursheim Retrospective With Work
From His Private Collection.
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