"L.A. Twister"
"We know people, who know people...who know people" is
the tagline for the premier work of German transplant
Sven Pape working with a script by Geoffrey
Saville-Read. Lenny (Zack Ward) is an unemployed actor
and Ethan (Tony Daly) is his best friend just broken
up with his wife. Together, they come to the
realization that the only way to make it in the movie
business in LA-LA Land is to take the bull by the
horns in "L.A. Twister."
Lenny, garbed in a limo driver's suit and cap, greets
his friend Ethan at LAX. They drive into the city
where the visitor is introduced to Chez Lenny, an
apartment situated beside an LA freeway. Lenny has
been struggling to get acting work, filling in the
down time with whatever job is available. But, hefty
casting agent Marilyn (Wendy Worthington) dangles the
promise of a lead in an upcoming TV cop drama – if
he'll tend to her erotic needs. He does the deed and
his expectations run high.
Meanwhile, Ethan is pining away for his ex who threw
him out of their Pacific Northwest home for being a
loser. He takes on plumbing work to pay the bills and
soon sees the fruitless struggle of his friend. When
he rescues the wife (Susan Blakely) of a wealthy
financier who wants to break in to movie business,
removing her toe from a bathtub faucet, he sees a way
to break into the movies.
"L.A. Twister's" rags to relative riches story has be
done many times before. Think "The Big Picture,"
paying homage to the independent film industry as a
good example. While "Twister" has its heart in the
right place, its execution is uneven. Thankfully, the
second half somewhat resurrects the first half from
the doldrums as it actually gets into the world of
making movies.
The best thing about "Twister" is the energetic,
snappy performance by Zack Ward as Lenny. You may
remember him as the bully who gets his comeuppance in
"A Christmas Story." Here, his sharp wit and naïve
belief that "miracles happen" but "only in the movies"
makes for a sympathetic character. Unfortunately, his
foil, Tony Daly as Ethan, is far too bland and not
nearly as engaging as Ward. Susan Blakely as the bored
rich wife and Worthington as casting agent Marilyn
help elevate "L.A. Twister" a notch above where it
deserves. It's a fair start for newcomer Sven Pape. I
give it a C+.
For more Reeling reviews visit www.reelingreviews.com
robin@reelingreviews.com
laura@reelingreviews.com
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