‘Under Heaven’ Is Under-Powered
In his 1902 novel “The Wings of the Dove,” Henry James explores the themes of culture clash, the nature of love and the ramifications of betrayal.
Director Iain Softley’s 1997 film version of James’ story plays out those themes in a dignified, “Masterpiece Theatre”-type manner, transporting us between the picturesque locales of London and Venice.
Now we have James again. Only this time the setting is contemporary, the culture clash distinctly American and the questions of love and betrayal, while similar, are more mundane than James could ever have imagined.
Maybe that’s because the movie is set in the Pacific Northwest, where the slums of Seattle seem far less romantic than any working garret of Europe.
More likely, though, it’s because writer-director Meg Richman, whose sole previous credit involves being the creator of the prime-time soap “Malibu Shores,” just can’t see how dumbing-down James fails to be art.
Her movie centers on the relationship between Cynthia (Molly Parker) and Buck (Aden Young), two economically challenged (I’m being polite) musician types who can’t seem to break out of their financial slump.
Part of the problem is a lack of vision. Cynthia comes from a family where mom, always attracted to the wrong guy, never gave herself a chance to leave the trailer park.
More of a problem is the drug and alcohol habit that makes every day an ongoing haze for Buck.
Ultimately, Cynthia breaks with Buck to take a job as live-in caretaker for Eleanor (Joely Richardson), a terminally ill woman of visible means. The two women become friends, even though Cynthia can’t help but resent the fact that Eleanor has every material richness that she herself can only dream of.
Buck comes back into the picture by chance, but it follows James’ initial storyline. For this meeting allows Cynthia to realize that she still loves him, for Buck to prove that he has shaken his addictions and is willing to start anew and for both of them to see that they now have a way to have it all.
Buck, whom Cynthia introduces as her half-brother, just has to convince the dying Eleanor to fall in love with him. After she dies, he inherits everything.
If you’ve read James (or seen Softley’s film), you know that this is where the real story begins. What occurs next involves a maze of difficult decisions, painful revelations and bittersweet resolutions for all involved.
But “Under Heaven” lacks the undercurrent of dramatic power with which James filled his novel (and Softley his film). His characters are not without opportunity, either through family mentors or innate talent, and their social understanding - if not position - is not that far removed from the American widow against whom they conspire.
In contrast, Cynthia and Buck (in particular, Buck) are as much a part of Eleanor’s world as Jerry Springer is of Charlie Rose’s. Despite her ailment, which has cut her off from her former life, it’s difficult to think that a delicate Boston-bred blueblood such as Eleanor would see dull Buck as anything more than the bumbling hulk that he is.
Moreover, like “The Wings of the Dove,” “Under Heaven” works only if we can come to somehow empathize with Cynthia and Buck, to understand their plight and root for them to somehow succeed. Unfortunately, Richman has made her working-class characters seem like classic X-Generation brats, moaning about what they don’t have instead of working harder to get what they can.
Those familiar with Seattle will recognize some of the settings (one scene is set on the front steps of the Seattle Art Museum). And everyone is likely to appreciate the acting of Richardson, whose performance won praise at the recent Seattle International Film Festival.
But that may be about all.
At one point, Eleanor scolds an ungrateful Cynthia. “You are such a shallow girl,” she says.
She could be speaking of “Under Heaven” itself.
“Under Heaven” ** Locations: Lincoln Heights Cinemas. Credits: Written and directed by Meg Richman, starring Joely Richardson, Molly Parker, Aden Young Running time: 1:52 Rating: R