For heterosexual gentlemen who might be dragged out by their ladies to see “Evening,” I have one word of advice: RUN!!!
In the same way that Hollywood underestimates men’s tastes by targeting them with blood and guts without character or story, it also panders to women with prosaic and manipulative tearjerkers like today’s romantic tragedy based on the Susan Minot novel.
With an ensemble straight out of grande dame actress heaven, though, it’s the ultimate patronizing if still tempting chick flick. Producers just know that it will be almost impossible for any ovary-toting movie lover to resist a gorgeously appointed production with the formidable likes of Vanessa Redgrave, her on- and offscreen daughter Natasha Richardson, a scenery chewing Glenn Close, Toni Collette, Eileen Atkins and the grandmamma of all thespian royalty Meryl Streep playing off each other.
It’s bad enough for us gals; at least we can get a little lost in a yummy seduction session and some fabulous ’50s-era costumes. But again, if your predominant hormone is testosterone, this period wallow in gooey nostalgia from an elderly bohemian’s deathbed could send you right over the edge.
No beer or jockstraps here, fellows.
Rather, we witness some sophisticated young bon vivants as seen through the rose-colored memory of Ann (Redgrave), a dying dowager under the care of her squabbling grown children Nina (Collette) and Constance (Richardson). The recollections center on an eventful wedding weekend in exclusive Newport, R.I., five years ago when the young avant-garde Ann (Claire Danes) served as maid of honor to her rich conformist college pal Lila. The young Lila is played by Mamie Gummer, whoalso happens to be the real-life daughter and near-twin of Streep.
In a case of irritating bait-and-switch, based on the movie’s promotional campaign, Streep only is in it for a total of, like, 5 or 10 minutes near the end. But not surprisingly, her small bit has the most dramatic richness. She goes up against her compelling silver screen equal, Redgrave, in a beautiful sequence in which the old Ann and old Lila reconcile a long-ago weekend of lust, uncertainty, lost love, and — of course! — death.
Hugh Dancy as a latent homosexual and Patrick Wilson as a sexy doctor portray the token males here, the sources of the story’s conflict in the flashbacks. But it is the sumptuous look of the film and the female cast’s stature that almost saves a reductive screenplay by authors Minot and Michael Cunningham. This is the first English-language film from director Lajos Koltai, who’s better known in Hollywood — and now proven to be more accomplished — as a cinematographer.
This “Evening”? You might want to find something else to do.
‘Evening’
2/5 stars
Starring: Vanessa Redgrave, Claire Danes, Natasha Richardson, Toni Collette, Glenn Close, Meryl Streep
Director: Lajos Koltai
Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements, sexual material, a brief accident scene and language
