By The Numbers Predictable ‘Up Close’ Doesn’t Get Too Personal
After Nicole Kidman’s wacky and depressing look at the television world in “To Die For,” movie fans were convinced that this business was, literally, a cutthroat industry. But, with Michelle Pfeifer’s similar character in “Up Close and Personal,” filmgoers are shown a somewhat more uplifting look at the same subject.
Pfeifer plays Tally Atwater, an aspiring rookie reporter with no talent, but a lot of guts. Only one station in the country will offer her a job - a Miami station run by Warren Justice, played by Robert Redford.
Justice is the experienced news veteran who, seemingly following every cliche ever written, spots talent in Atwater and seeks to develop it.
Before long, Atwater is stealing the hearts of Miami news viewers. Another cliche alert: She’s stealing Justice’s heart as well. Atwater eventually moves to a larger market in Philadelphia, and finds that there is even more she must learn about the news business. So, the lonely Justice comes to Philly to rescue the depressed reporter, and everything becomes right again.
Since this simple quasi-love story wouldn’t fill an entire movie, “Up Close and Personal” has to deliver a plot twist. One day, Atwater is in prison, interviewing an inmate for a “day-in-the-life” story when a riot breaks out. She is stuck inside the prison, delivering 12 hours of live reports, helped by only (who else?) Warren Justice.
For a by-the-numbers Hollywood romance, the acting isn’t bad. It’s nowhere near Redford’s greatest work and probably not Pfeifer’s best either. But both delivered in their heavily recycled roles.
The script follows in the same pattern. Some lines I could swear I’ve heard before, but the script is sufficient to keep the story and chemistry going. The movie doesn’t aspire for more.
As with any romance movie, though, the most important factor is the chemistry between the two leads. In “Up Close and Personal,” it is terribly inconsistent. Sometimes, it is phenomenal to the extent one thinks they’re watching Oscar nominees. Other times, though, Redford and Pfeifer could well be strangers passing in the same room, little knowing or caring about the other.
Something I must give this movie credit for, however, is that it is uplifting. While certain parts are sad, it generally delivers a positive message. When movies about lost nuclear bombs, hopeless drunks, death row inmates and senseless murders are drawing critical attention, it doesn’t hurt to have a positive, non-spoof movie come out every once in a while.
Like most by-the-numbers films, one can’t go expecting anything different. Whether it be action, comedy or romance, it’ll be the same movie you’ve seen before, with fresh faces in the starring roles. But one can still enjoy them, and “Up Close and Personal” is no exception.
While it may not be “To Die For,” you may still like it.
Grade: B-