Richardson, let us not forget, made some excellent films in the sixties such as The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner and Tom Jones, but it's the tricks from the latter (speeded up footage, rather rough overdubs) that don't work so well here - in fact some of it is downright crudely put together.
The John Irving adaptation has memorable characters and situations and is certainly quirky, but it at times is unexpectedly moving (after Jodie's rape and she says to Lowe 'Just another Halloween, kid'). Loved the moment before that when Lowe goes to summon help, and is introduced to a most angry black man, Dorsey Wright, who refreshingly (though underwritten) becomes a part of the family.
Still don't understand why Jodie is still into the bastard Chip (Matthew Modine, who does also play the Viennese alter ego). She gives a splendid performance. With Rob Lowe, Beau Bridges, Jennie Dundas, Seth Green, Joely Richardson (good), Wallace Shawn, Wilford Brimley, Paul McCrane, Nastassia Kinski, Amanda Plummer.
Some of it - situations, characters, dialogue, plot - seem very Garpy, in other words, Irvingy.
Shot by David Watkin. Edited by Robert K Lambert. Music by Jacques Offenbach. The hotel is The Tasouusac in Quebec, and still looks exactly the same.
Jodie: "She fainted while diaphragming herself."
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