Valentino Returns

Directed by: Peter Hoffman

RS: Not Rated

1988 Drama

You can hear Jerry Lee Lewis rocking to "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" on the soundtrack of this Fifties period drama set in Stockton, California. The sounds on the radio are as lively as things get for restless Wayne Gibbs, played by Barry Tubb (Top Gun). Wayne wants to escape this stifling burg. Hell, he can't even get the town slut (Jenny Wright) to give him a tumble. Wayne's mom, Veronica Cartwright (The Witches of Eastwick), has also had it. She's weary of forgiving Wayne's dad (Frederic Forrest) for his wenching ways. Forrest, in spectacular form, is funny and moving as the rebel who thinks his tomcatting might just save him from turning into a husk.

Screenwriter Leonard Gardner, who did John Huston's brilliant boxing film, Fat City, knows how people sound when they've seen their dreams dry up. What a shame that first-time director Peter Hoffman took his cue for the film's pacing from the droopy town instead of firecracker Forrest.

Tubb buys a pink Cadillac in which to make his getaway and dubs the car Valentino. A romantic gesture? Perhaps. All I could think of was Clint Eastwood's recent flop. That makes two films this summer featuring the same car, and both films run out of gas. The good news is that, unless they call it Jinx Cadillac, there's little likelihood of a sequel.

PETER TRAVERS
RS 558