ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 16, 1995 TAG: 9512200011
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 12 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: MOVIE REVIEW
SOURCE: KATHERINE REED STAFF WRITER
By now, we are all used to watching Woody Allen work through his angst on camera.
By now, we may have forgotten how much fun it could be.
And then along comes "Mighty Aphrodite," a mighty funny movie about a middle-aged New York sportswriter named Lenny who lives in an uptown apartment with his interesting wife.
So far, not much new. Nor is the early emergence of the conflict at the obligatory uptown restaurant while dining with friends. Amanda, the wife (Helena Bonham Carter), wants a baby. But she can't take time away from her demanding work at an art gallery to do the pregnancy thing.
Amanda decides they should adopt, and in what looks like about two days, they become the proud parents of little Max.
Years pass. Max grows up, Amanda gets her own gallery, and Lenny is feeling a little left behind. And curious. He wants to know more about Max's parentage, so he decides to track down his son's birth mother.
Just when you're beginning to get a little edgy - and are not finding the Greek Chorus that comments on the story action all funny - Lenny's odyssey ends at the doorstep of Linda Ash (Mira Sorvino).
Thank the gods.
Sorvino hasn't made much of an impression on movies until now. But as the hooker/porno film actress who is Max's mother, she is stunning. Part of it is the voice. If she were to sing, one would say, ``Golly, that woman sang that whole song in the wrong key.'' It's not that her voice grates; it's just that it's wrong.
But oh, so right for the endearing Linda. Lenny wants to save her from her terrible life. And he does. But the getting there - not the ending - is what makes this movie worth seeing. Lenny and Linda, out having pasta. Lenny and Linda, going to meet the blind date (Michael Rapaport) Lenny's arranged for her.
Forget the Greek stuff: What Woody Allen really seems to be saying with this movie - and about his life - is more Shakespearean in tone: ``All's well that ends well.''
LENGTH: Short : 46 linesby CNB