Take Some ‘Demolition,’ Add Some ‘Speed’ And, Voila, You’re A Star
Sandra Bullock owes a debt to Sylvester Stallone.
She’d had parts in small films (“Wrestling Ernest Hemingway”) and the lead in the television version of “Working Girl,” but she didn’t get noticed until the 1993 Stallone-Wesley Snipes vehicle “Demolition Man.”
She played the 21st-century police officer who, obsessed with late 20th century culture, loves to sing advertising jingles and have cyber-sex.
Then came “Speed” (1994), in which she played a reluctant bus driver to Keanu Reeves’ tough cop.
But this year has seen her break-through. In two films, “While You Were Sleeping,” which is in video stores now (see capsule review below), and “The Net,” which was a summer theatrical hit, Bullock jumped from the ranks to become this year’s Julia Roberts.
And, unlike some other actresses working steadily out there, Bullock deserves it. While not supermodel beautiful, she is heart-breakingly attractive in a girl-next-door vein. And while she’s hasn’t yet played Shakespeare, she has made the most of the slight roles she’s been given.
I was sold on her when, in “While You Were Sleeping,” she said two words - we’ll skip them here, just imagine that they are a child’s way to saying canine feces - and she imbued them with sweetness that betrayed not even a hint of cynicism.
Imagine: A fresh-faced, sweet-smiling star with sex appeal, appearing just when we need her.
And the irony here?
We have Sly Stallone to thank.
While You Were Sleeping ***
Based on her past work, Sandra Bullock (“Speed,” “Demolition Man” and a handful of other supporting roles) would seem to have been a longshot for stardom. But as a Chicago Transit Authority ticket-taker who falls in love with one man (Peter Gallagher), saves his life, meets his charming family while he is in a coma and then falls for the man’s brother (Bill Pullman), Bullock shows that she has both comedic and dramatic talent. She may be the freshest female movie presence since Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman.” Rated PG.
The Perez Family ***
Despite the presence of two Oscar-winning actresses, this little tale about the struggle of a group of Cuban immigrants to survive in their new home of Miami works on the strength of director Mira Nair’s camera and Alfred Molina’s soulful eyes. Molina’s character, a political prisoner named Perez sentenced to 20 years in one of Castro’s jails, uses another Perez (Marisa Tomei) to get established. Trouble is, he’s still married to another Perez (Anjelica Huston), who has given up hope that he will ever return. Just who will end up with whom is augmented by Nair, who creates a feel for real life (in the face of absurdity) that makes this romance piece a thing to remember. Rated R.
Panther *
There’s room here for several films, and the story to be told about this ‘60s-era political group needs to be a documentary. “New Jack City” director Mario Van Peebles, though, doesn’t want facts to get in the way of his homeboy-edged storytelling style. By making his protagonist a fictional character, who just happens to be a Vietnam veteran, Peebles misses out on fully portraying Huey Newton, one of the most charismatic black American activists ever conceived. The saddest aspect to the film, however, is that Peebles feels the need to exaggerate what is already shocking - that the Panthers, whose fierce exteriors overshadowed the many helpful neighborhood programs they sponsored, were slowly and inexorably wiped out by unscrupulous law-enforcement agencies. The real story is powerful all by itself, but Peebles undercuts his message by making a film that is little more than “Malcolm X” meets “Shaft.” Rated R.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: WHAT’S NEW TO VIEW Now available: “Panther” (Polygram), “Tales From the Hood” (HBO), “The Perez Family” (Hallmark), “While You Were Sleeping” (Touchstone). Available on Tuesday: “Stuart Saves His Family” (Paramount), “The Santa Clause” (Disney), “Jury Duty” (Columbia TriStar), “Exotica” (TBA), “The Cure” (MCA/Universal).