THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 2, 1995 TAG: 9506020081
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TAMAR ANITAI, TEENOLOGY MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
AH TO BE young. Ah to be in love. Ah to wear out this premise, as in the new movie ``Mad Love.''
This sappy date flick centers around the age-old ``forbidden love'' premise. It does nothing but prove that this tired theme has definitely lost its life.
Chris O'Donnell plays Matt, your average, intelligent, good-looking high school guy - not much of a stretch there - who works hard and looks after his pesky little twin brother and sister. Life is swell until ``the new girl,'' Casey, moves in. (Sound remotely familiar?)
Played by Drew Barrymore, Casey is quirky and sexy and her adventurous wild streak quickly gets the love-struck puppies into much trouble. When the evil parental forces forbid their love (this doesn't ring a bell, does it?), the movie adds the Romeo and Juliet theme to its growing pile of tacky and overused premises.
The two take off in Matt's car and into the dusty roads of nowhere, stopping frequently along the way to make out in the woods. Romeo and Juliet turn into Bonnie and Clyde as they steal a few cars and commit a few felonies and misdemeanors, all the while being very proud of breaking all the rules and being so defiant together.
But their love is challenged when Matt discovers that Casey has a few screws loose and is too much for him to handle. At last it is time to return home.
The highlight of the relationship, as it turns out, was the road trip. In the end, they go their separate ways, happily ever after, blah, blah, blah . .
Incredibly weak and predictable, the plot lacks mystery and insight. The relationship seems forced, lacks substance and is completely underdeveloped. ``Mad Love'' quickly grows trivial and boring. The mediocre script and its reliance on worn themes and generalizations make ``Mad Love'' a disappointing bore.
Barrymore and O'Donnell donot exactly execute phenomenal performances. Satisfying, yes. But not exactly Oscar material, or even MTV movie awards material for that matter.
Both actors look just a bit too old for high school, too. It is a letdown to see O'Donnell retreat to such a weak script following his substantial successes (``Scent of a Woman,'' for example). His talent and potential are so much greater than the likes of a film such as this.
So don't see ``Mad Love'' if you want excitement, depth, intrigue or even if you want a little passion. About all you'll end up wanting is your money back. MEMO: ``Mad Love'' is rated PG-13.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Tamar Anitai is a junior at First Colonial High School.
by CNB