THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 23, 1994 TAG: 9412220078
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TAMAR ANITAI, TEENOLOGY MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
WHENEVER YOU think of Senate elections, love comes to mind, right?
Michael Keaton and Geena Davis play speech writers for opposing sides in New Hampshire's senate race in the comedy, ``Speechless.'' The two journalists are drawn together by an inexplicable force. Their access to each other's confidential campaign material becomes both irresistible and destructive. But inevitably, politics makes for strange but happy bedfellows.
The improbable plot and intermediate humor fall under the ``somewhat amusing for the time being'' category. Davis' and Keaton's roles are, pathetically, the movie's only saving grace. Come on, like we all know from the movie poster and the previews that you're going to get together, and before the first five minutes of the movie have elapsed, we all know how, too.
Keaton's ``nice-funny-cute'' guy is no longer a challenge. Davis' ``I-am-woman!'' while entertaining, does not exactly merit any gold or silver statuettes. Their poorly developed, completely distorted relationship contributed greatly to the movie's downfall.
The only word that I can use to properly describe ``Speechless'' is ``fine,'' as in, ``How are you? Fine.'' ``How was your sandwich? Fine.'' ``How was your physical examination? Fine.''
If movies were amusement park rides, ``Speechless'' is the merry-go-round. But even if you're the merry-go-round type, you should hold your breath and wait for ``Speechless'' to adorn video store shelves. You'll be holding your breath longer waiting for Christmas. MEMO: ``Speechless'' is rated PG-13. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
MGM
Bonnie Bedelia and Michael Keaton are on the campaign trail in the
romantic comedy ``Speechless.''
Photo
Tamar Anitai is a junior at First Colonial High.
by CNB