E ggs and lo v e served o v e r easy
BY PAUL COLEMAN
in F ra n k ie a n d Jo h n n y BY NICK JONES There is no trace of syrupy Hollywood sentimentalism in
eyed, greasy-haired, utterly plain, almost ugly at times. The assuredly ugly Pacino provides a lively counterpoise, especially
P f e i f f e r e n j o y s a r a r e la u g h in t h e b it t e r s w e e t r o m a n c e F r a n k i e M e e t s
Garry Marshall's bittersweet romantic comedy F ra n k ie and Jo h n n y .
in the hilarious diner scenes. Screen w riter Terrence McNally adapted the script from his play F ra n k ie a n d Jo h n n y in the C la ir d e L u n e . No humour was lost in the process. When Johnny tries to read a romantic passage from R om eo a n d Juliet to his kitchen co-workers, the down and out Jorge says to him: "Look man, there are only two words you need to know in this city: 'fuck' and 'you'." What makes this movie worth seeing is not the 'realistic' love story of Frankie and Johnny, but the solid acting of the ensemble supporting cast. Nathan Lane as
S p irit o f th e W e st tc
Tim, Frankie's homosexual con fidante, is especially subtle and witty, and the Canadian Kate Nelligan gives a wickedly slut tish performance as the crass waitress Cora. There are no gra tuitous scenes in the m ovie. A lthough some may find the courtship of Frankie and Johnny frustratingly long, and the ending unsatis factorily hasty, the plot is nevertheless tight and full of subtle connections. W hile the 'it's never too late to try again' theme may lo h n n u seem tired, it is treated with enough freshness and humour to make F ra n k ie a n d Jo h n n y , if not unforgettable, at least entertaining and moder ately thought-provoking. □
Michelle Pfeiffer (Frankie) and A1 Pacino (Johnny)—last seen together in Scarface —star as a waitress and short order cook in a New York City greasy spoon. They eventually fall in love, of course. But in this smart and tightly written movie by the di BY C H RISTO PH ER BUCH rector of P retty Y Jo m a n , the usual NER romantic clichés are as warming as a cup of Frankie's coffee. Enter Station C at the comer of Frankie, is full of fear and exis St. Catherine and Plesis. Inside is tential self-doubt. She tells a veritable m e n a g e à trois; K-2, a Johnny "I'm afraid to be alone; I'm afraid not to be alone". On Saturday nights, Frankie thinks she only wants to hide away in her tiny one-room apart ment with a pizza and her prized VCR. Fresh out of the slammer,but still willing to 'Restaurant BASH A ‘R estaurant assert himself for his future, Johnny sees his chance for love and stability in Frankie. B u t t SSVNiP B U t t SSWUP He reads Shakespeare and Skisk T aouk 4.75 2.75 B alafel Special 3.25 2.00 Skawarm a 4.25 Z.2S B aska Vegctman carries a copy of R om eo and 4.00 B aska Çrillade 5.75 3.60 225 M akanek Ju liet in.his back pocket, but '.X flfta ‘K pkak 4.00 2.25 7 o u l 9doudamas 3.25 2.00 Frankie is more of a challenge Sfrisk “K tkab 4 3 5 2.75 Mors dOeuvres 1.50 than he anticipates. We un B rochent de Boulet 4 3 5 2.75 Batisserie Orientale 125 1.50 d erstand that although • ST IM A • ‘K JB B B . • ZS4JATEB, 1.00 Johnny is more experienced PUTDUJOUR3.25 than Frankie, he is still will COMMMBPOURBWPIRIBI SUNDAYS ONLY 0WBiï7J0lin ing to learn about life, while TNŒIVTORffiB VALD FROM NOON - 9 PM OPEN7 DAYS she has closed herself off. SUPER SPECIAL 930, rue Ste-Catherine 0. 2140, rue Guy (2e étage) Montréal, P.Q. HOT &COLD BUFFET Pfeiffer is convincing as the Montréal, P.Q. H3B 3R7 Dessert &Coffee H3H2G8 sober and depressed Frankie. Tél.: (514) 8664272 Adults $6.50, Kids under 12 $3.00 Tél.: (514) 932-6682 She looks with-drawn, bag| AT GUY STREET LOCATION ONLY
Thursday, October 17th, Canad ian rockers Spirit of the West return to Montreal to play the Spectrum in support of their new album, 'Go Figure'. The group's fifth album marks a departure from the band's trade mark acoustic sound, while still incorporating echoes of a Celtic folk tradition. "I think we had reached the point, having done the acoustic thing for five years, that we were traipsing over some tired g rou n d ," said songw riter Geoffrey Kelly. "Touring Eng land withTheWonderStuffalso had a big impression on us." Ushering in the new Spirit of the West, is touted US producer Joe Chiccarelli(Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, Bob Geldof). With the 'Go Figure' project, Chicarrelli coordinated the introductionofelectricguitar,and drum mer Vince Ditrich to the band's instrumental inventory. "This album is the project of three months of intense writing in Vancouver, which is new for [co-writer] John[Mann] and I, because traditionally the mate
rial has been afforded the luxury of being roadtested before we record anything," stated Kelly. "It's been really challenging for us. Neither John or myself are very prolific, so we've been straining to work it out in tiny Vancouver cafés, trying to write lines and put it all together." The reproducion and re-release of the single 'Political' is bound to leave the faithful feeling some what alienated. The new cut is essentially theold 'Political' from a distance, both musically for listeners, and emotionally for songwriter Mann. "The new version is a lot more true to the relationship John had had with that particular individ ual," said Kelly. "Now that time ha s pa ssed, he has been able to si t back and absorb the whole thing." The stepped up reproduction, however, attempts to fill the gap with new energy and innovation. "It's a tough one - 1didn't want to do that song again, but the record company felt that it never really had its chance to become a single," recalled Kelly. "We put it off and put it off until we fi nally decided to give it a run - but
S t a t io n C n o lo n g e r a s e e n women's only bar, Katacombs, strictly for men, and the cavern ous new K.O.X. Upstairs in K-2 women will have their own space in a dance bar outfitted with lavender car-
S ta tio n " C " - n o t j u s t fo r " m a le" m en
pet, mirrored walls and Vene tian blinds. Despite decor remi niscent of a small town queer bar, K.O.X.'sbutch image has not carried over to K-2. When asked what she thought of the new hangout, one dyke responded, "Lame! But we'll have to give it a chance to get going." All fags who fancy th em selves butch enough, can venture down to the subterra nean bar called Kat acombs. In the ambi ance of a blacked-out government building, Katacombs carries on the old tradition of denim and leather. Here a dress code will still be enforced: only manly man threads. Not nearly as fun as the old K.O.X.was, Katacombs tries hard to live up to its prede cessor's raunchy repu tation. Station C is sup posed to reflect a new