As her new TV venture, Hilary Duff will play a character which is based on a true life person, Kathleen Holtz. NBC have signed her to be the main cast of "Barely Legal", a comedy about an 18-year-old who passes the notoriously difficult California bar exam and becomes the youngest attorney ever made in the state. The story is based on the life experience of Holtz who passed the exam in 2007.
Duff signed a deal with NBC in November 2007 for a comedy which will be produced by Universal Media Studio. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show is developed by actor Rob Morrow who is also executive producing. A pilot is being penned by Elisa Bell whose credit includes the big screen movie "Little Black Book". No production date has been suggested.
This would be Duff's first primetime series in the lead role. She previously starred and gained fame as...
Duff signed a deal with NBC in November 2007 for a comedy which will be produced by Universal Media Studio. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show is developed by actor Rob Morrow who is also executive producing. A pilot is being penned by Elisa Bell whose credit includes the big screen movie "Little Black Book". No production date has been suggested.
This would be Duff's first primetime series in the lead role. She previously starred and gained fame as...
- 1/13/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
NBC loves shows about young female lawyers this development season.
On the heels of the pilot order for David E. Kelley's legal dramedy "Legally Mad," the network has picked up for development "Barely Legal," a half-hour comedy based on the true story of Kathleen Holtz, who in November 2007 passed the notoriously difficult California bar at age 18 to become the state's youngest lawyer.
She would be played by Hilary Duff, who has come on board as part of her talent deal with the network and Universal Media Studios.
"Barely," which has received a script commitment, hails from actor Rob Morrow, who developed the project through his company Bits and Pieces Prods. and is exec producing.
Elisa Bell ("Little Black Book") is penning the project, which is being produced by Ums.
Duff, Morrow, Bell and Holtz are repped by Wma. Duff is managed by Curtis Talent, Morrow by the Hofflund Co.
On the heels of the pilot order for David E. Kelley's legal dramedy "Legally Mad," the network has picked up for development "Barely Legal," a half-hour comedy based on the true story of Kathleen Holtz, who in November 2007 passed the notoriously difficult California bar at age 18 to become the state's youngest lawyer.
She would be played by Hilary Duff, who has come on board as part of her talent deal with the network and Universal Media Studios.
"Barely," which has received a script commitment, hails from actor Rob Morrow, who developed the project through his company Bits and Pieces Prods. and is exec producing.
Elisa Bell ("Little Black Book") is penning the project, which is being produced by Ums.
Duff, Morrow, Bell and Holtz are repped by Wma. Duff is managed by Curtis Talent, Morrow by the Hofflund Co.
- 1/12/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The CW, home of "America's Next Top Model", is adding to its fashion line.
The network is developing "The Collection", a one-hour scripted project that draws on the experiences of top designer Isaac Mizrahi.
Mizrahi is co-executive producing the show, which hails from ABC Studios and studio-based Sander/Moses Prods.
"Collection", written and executive produced by Elisa Bell ("Little Black Book"), is set in the fashion world. It will use the setting to tackle "real-life issues like racism, giant egos, fragile relationships, drugs, conflict of ethics and sexuality," Bell said.
She added: "The fashion world operates in our show as a microcosm of American society. Regardless of how you feel about fashion, everyone is a member of the club, because at the start of every day, we all get dressed."
Similar to the cross-platform approach for their supernatural drama "Ghost Whisperer", Ian Sander and Kim Moses are planning a significant online component for "Collection".
Late last season, the Web series "Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side" launched with the sponsorship of General Motors, and its lead character appeared in the season finale of the CBS/ABC Studios TV series.
The network is developing "The Collection", a one-hour scripted project that draws on the experiences of top designer Isaac Mizrahi.
Mizrahi is co-executive producing the show, which hails from ABC Studios and studio-based Sander/Moses Prods.
"Collection", written and executive produced by Elisa Bell ("Little Black Book"), is set in the fashion world. It will use the setting to tackle "real-life issues like racism, giant egos, fragile relationships, drugs, conflict of ethics and sexuality," Bell said.
She added: "The fashion world operates in our show as a microcosm of American society. Regardless of how you feel about fashion, everyone is a member of the club, because at the start of every day, we all get dressed."
Similar to the cross-platform approach for their supernatural drama "Ghost Whisperer", Ian Sander and Kim Moses are planning a significant online component for "Collection".
Late last season, the Web series "Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side" launched with the sponsorship of General Motors, and its lead character appeared in the season finale of the CBS/ABC Studios TV series.
- 10/16/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chick flicks are definitely evolving. While Cinderella stories still predominate, every now and then we get a "Mean Girls" or a "Little Black Book", which find ways to slip serious satirical themes into these Girl-Gets-or-Loses-Boy tales. "Little Black Book" is, yes, a story about a young woman, played by popular actress Brittany Murphy, who raids her boyfriend's Palm Pilot to explore his romantic past. But it also takes satirical shots at reality TV shows a la "Jerry Springer" and the insidious way in which they exploit the worst aspects of human behavior to win ratings points.
The comedy is mostly aimed at teenage females, but boyfriends, older sisters and even parents may find things at which to smile or even laugh. Theatrical payoff in this overheated market may be short, but the film could experience a longer life than usual in ancillary markets.
Stacy Holt (Murphy) idolizes Diane Sawyer, but she starts her TV career pretty much at the bottom as an associate producer for daytime talk show hostess Kippie Kann (Kathy Bates in a deadly accurate take on these MCs of mayhem). Telecasting from New Jersey, clearly the minor leagues, the syndicated chat show drags willing and unwilling participants before its cameras for daily humiliations built around increasingly bizarre concepts such as prostitute grandmothers or partying midgets.
Co-worker Barb (Holly Hunter, showing us, perhaps, what became of her neurotic TV producer from "Broadcast News" 17 years before) offers to show Stacy the ropes. Soon enough, Stacy is jumping with those ropes. When Stacy's live-in boyfriend Derek (Ron Livingston), an ice hockey scout, must go on the road, Barb urges her to use her skills as a "field researcher" to investigate Derek's past, which he has kept carefully hidden from her.
A conveniently left-behind Palm Pilot leads her to three ex-girlfriends, all of whom she approaches in the guise of looking for new guests for the show. Supermodel Lulu Fritz (Josie Maran) recalls marathon bedroom sessions that pique Stacy's jealousy. It gets worse. Dr. Rachel Keyes (Rashida Jones), a self-possessed gynecologist, turns out to still share a relationship with Derek because of their "joint custody" of a most flatulent dog. And winsome Joyce (Julianne Nicholson), a rising chef, clearly still has a thing for Derek and continues to talk to and see him on a regular basis as "just friends."
Melissa Carter's screenplay, on which Elisa Bell did a rewrite, plays an interesting game with the audience. It deliberately makes us discomforted by the heroine's suspicions and snooping while allowing us to appreciate Joyce's warmth and emotional honesty. Meanwhile, the frantic world of daytime TV, with everyone striving to get credit for the most disgusting idea for a ratings-grabbing show, energizes the film.
There is Bates' Kippie Kann herself, whose depressing banal signature is extreme alliteration with the "K" sound (as in Kut the Krap). She has clearly lost control of her own show but doesn't yet know it. As a portrait in transparent cynicism, one can't do much better than Hunter's Barb, who will stoop to virtually anything yet freely discourse on the evil of her ways.
Under the smooth direction of British TV veteran Nick Hurran, the movie unfolds at a sprightly pace with an active camera and the kind of telling decor that belies its modest budget.
LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Columbia Pictures
Revolution Studios presents a Blue Star Pictures production
Credits:
Director: Nick Hurran
Screenwriters: Melissa Carter, Elisa Bell
Story by: Melissa Carter
Producers: Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Deborah Schindler, William Sherak, Jason Shuman
Executive producers: Herbert W. Gains, Rachael Horovitz, Warren Zide, Craig Perry
Director of photography: Theo Van de Sande
Production designer: Bob Ziembicki
Music: Christophe Beck
Costume designer: Susie DeSanto
Editor: John Richards
Cast:
Stacy: Brittany Murphy
Barb: Holly Hunter
Kippie Kann: Kathy Bates
Derek: Ron Livingston
Joyce: Julianne Nicholson
Carl: Stephen Tobolowsky
Ira: Kevin Sussman
Dr. Keyes: Rashida Jones
Lulu: Josie Maran
MPAA rating: PG-13
Running time -- 106 minutes...
The comedy is mostly aimed at teenage females, but boyfriends, older sisters and even parents may find things at which to smile or even laugh. Theatrical payoff in this overheated market may be short, but the film could experience a longer life than usual in ancillary markets.
Stacy Holt (Murphy) idolizes Diane Sawyer, but she starts her TV career pretty much at the bottom as an associate producer for daytime talk show hostess Kippie Kann (Kathy Bates in a deadly accurate take on these MCs of mayhem). Telecasting from New Jersey, clearly the minor leagues, the syndicated chat show drags willing and unwilling participants before its cameras for daily humiliations built around increasingly bizarre concepts such as prostitute grandmothers or partying midgets.
Co-worker Barb (Holly Hunter, showing us, perhaps, what became of her neurotic TV producer from "Broadcast News" 17 years before) offers to show Stacy the ropes. Soon enough, Stacy is jumping with those ropes. When Stacy's live-in boyfriend Derek (Ron Livingston), an ice hockey scout, must go on the road, Barb urges her to use her skills as a "field researcher" to investigate Derek's past, which he has kept carefully hidden from her.
A conveniently left-behind Palm Pilot leads her to three ex-girlfriends, all of whom she approaches in the guise of looking for new guests for the show. Supermodel Lulu Fritz (Josie Maran) recalls marathon bedroom sessions that pique Stacy's jealousy. It gets worse. Dr. Rachel Keyes (Rashida Jones), a self-possessed gynecologist, turns out to still share a relationship with Derek because of their "joint custody" of a most flatulent dog. And winsome Joyce (Julianne Nicholson), a rising chef, clearly still has a thing for Derek and continues to talk to and see him on a regular basis as "just friends."
Melissa Carter's screenplay, on which Elisa Bell did a rewrite, plays an interesting game with the audience. It deliberately makes us discomforted by the heroine's suspicions and snooping while allowing us to appreciate Joyce's warmth and emotional honesty. Meanwhile, the frantic world of daytime TV, with everyone striving to get credit for the most disgusting idea for a ratings-grabbing show, energizes the film.
There is Bates' Kippie Kann herself, whose depressing banal signature is extreme alliteration with the "K" sound (as in Kut the Krap). She has clearly lost control of her own show but doesn't yet know it. As a portrait in transparent cynicism, one can't do much better than Hunter's Barb, who will stoop to virtually anything yet freely discourse on the evil of her ways.
Under the smooth direction of British TV veteran Nick Hurran, the movie unfolds at a sprightly pace with an active camera and the kind of telling decor that belies its modest budget.
LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Columbia Pictures
Revolution Studios presents a Blue Star Pictures production
Credits:
Director: Nick Hurran
Screenwriters: Melissa Carter, Elisa Bell
Story by: Melissa Carter
Producers: Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Deborah Schindler, William Sherak, Jason Shuman
Executive producers: Herbert W. Gains, Rachael Horovitz, Warren Zide, Craig Perry
Director of photography: Theo Van de Sande
Production designer: Bob Ziembicki
Music: Christophe Beck
Costume designer: Susie DeSanto
Editor: John Richards
Cast:
Stacy: Brittany Murphy
Barb: Holly Hunter
Kippie Kann: Kathy Bates
Derek: Ron Livingston
Joyce: Julianne Nicholson
Carl: Stephen Tobolowsky
Ira: Kevin Sussman
Dr. Keyes: Rashida Jones
Lulu: Josie Maran
MPAA rating: PG-13
Running time -- 106 minutes...
- 8/20/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Opens Friday, July 9
Yet another teen girl-targeted comedy -- albeit one that features neither Lindsay Lohan nor Hilary Duff -- Sleepover essentially sleepwalks its way through a strictly by-the-numbers premise.
Aside from a likable lead performance by former Spy Kid Alexa Vega, there isn't much to this MGM summer break item that's going after a demo already showing signs of being burned out on a glut of more of the same.
Vega is the nice but constantly overlooked Julie, who invites a group of her nice but equally unpopular girlfriends (Mika Boorem, Scout Taylor-Compton and Kallie Flynn Childress) over for an end-of-junior high sleepover at her place.
But they prove to have little use for their sleeping bags after they're challenged to an all-night scavenger hunt by the "popular girls" with the prize being a prime high school lunch table by the fountain. The losers get to sit with the nerds next to the Dumpster.
With her married mom (Jane Lynch) out clubbing (!) and her oblivious dad (Jeff Garlin) busy installing an under-the-sink water purifier, Julie is free to commence the nocturnal quest relatively unthwarted, and their adventure paves the way for more product placement than you can shake a Hot Dog on a stick at.
Joe Nussbaum, who attracted a great deal of attention several years ago with his short film, George Lucas in Love, exhibits little of that charm and inspiration while making his feature directorial debut here, working off of a nonsensical script by Elisa Bell that makes strained attempts at sounding witty and irreverent.
Even by conventional movie standards, the dialogue and situations fail to reflect a contemporary 15-year-old girl's reality, even one that's rooted in comedy. Speaking of reality, it's also just a bit troublesome that there isn't a single character of color to be found anywhere on the picture's Southern California landscape.
Production values are efficient if generic, with the overall look and sound of the film owing much to the bubblegum color scheme and grrrl power pop of MGM's Legally Blonde prototype.
Sleepover
MGM
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures presents a Landscape Entertainment production in association with Weinstock Prods.
Credits:
Director: Joe Nussbaum
Producers: Charles Weinstock, Bob Cooper
Screenwriter: Elisa Bell
Executive producer: Jeremiah Samuels
Director of photography: James L. Carter
Production designer: Stephen McCabe
Editor: Craig P. Herring
Costume designer: Pamela Withers Chilton
Music supervisor: Elliot Lurie
Music: Deborah Lurie
Cast:
: Alexa Vega
Hannah: Mika Boorem
Gabby: Jane Lynch
Ren: Sam Huntington
Staci: Sara Paxton
Liz: Brie Larson
Farrah: Scout Taylor-Compton
Yancy: Kallie Flynn Childress
Steve: Sean Faris
Sherman: Steve Carell
Jay: Jeff Garlin
MPAA rating PG
Running time -- 90 minutes...
Yet another teen girl-targeted comedy -- albeit one that features neither Lindsay Lohan nor Hilary Duff -- Sleepover essentially sleepwalks its way through a strictly by-the-numbers premise.
Aside from a likable lead performance by former Spy Kid Alexa Vega, there isn't much to this MGM summer break item that's going after a demo already showing signs of being burned out on a glut of more of the same.
Vega is the nice but constantly overlooked Julie, who invites a group of her nice but equally unpopular girlfriends (Mika Boorem, Scout Taylor-Compton and Kallie Flynn Childress) over for an end-of-junior high sleepover at her place.
But they prove to have little use for their sleeping bags after they're challenged to an all-night scavenger hunt by the "popular girls" with the prize being a prime high school lunch table by the fountain. The losers get to sit with the nerds next to the Dumpster.
With her married mom (Jane Lynch) out clubbing (!) and her oblivious dad (Jeff Garlin) busy installing an under-the-sink water purifier, Julie is free to commence the nocturnal quest relatively unthwarted, and their adventure paves the way for more product placement than you can shake a Hot Dog on a stick at.
Joe Nussbaum, who attracted a great deal of attention several years ago with his short film, George Lucas in Love, exhibits little of that charm and inspiration while making his feature directorial debut here, working off of a nonsensical script by Elisa Bell that makes strained attempts at sounding witty and irreverent.
Even by conventional movie standards, the dialogue and situations fail to reflect a contemporary 15-year-old girl's reality, even one that's rooted in comedy. Speaking of reality, it's also just a bit troublesome that there isn't a single character of color to be found anywhere on the picture's Southern California landscape.
Production values are efficient if generic, with the overall look and sound of the film owing much to the bubblegum color scheme and grrrl power pop of MGM's Legally Blonde prototype.
Sleepover
MGM
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures presents a Landscape Entertainment production in association with Weinstock Prods.
Credits:
Director: Joe Nussbaum
Producers: Charles Weinstock, Bob Cooper
Screenwriter: Elisa Bell
Executive producer: Jeremiah Samuels
Director of photography: James L. Carter
Production designer: Stephen McCabe
Editor: Craig P. Herring
Costume designer: Pamela Withers Chilton
Music supervisor: Elliot Lurie
Music: Deborah Lurie
Cast:
: Alexa Vega
Hannah: Mika Boorem
Gabby: Jane Lynch
Ren: Sam Huntington
Staci: Sara Paxton
Liz: Brie Larson
Farrah: Scout Taylor-Compton
Yancy: Kallie Flynn Childress
Steve: Sean Faris
Sherman: Steve Carell
Jay: Jeff Garlin
MPAA rating PG
Running time -- 90 minutes...
- 7/19/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Curb Your Enthusiasm co-star/executive producer Jeff Garlin and Jane Lynch of Best in Show fame are packing their bags for MGM's Sleepover. The project, due to start shooting Tuesday, will see Garlin and Lynch play the father and mother of Alexa Vega's character in the Joe Nussbaum-directed film. The project centers on a group of girls during the summer before high school. As one girl prepares to move out of town, her best friend (Vega) throws a slumber party for her and their friends the same night the cool chicks have their own overnighter. Bob Cooper and Chuck Weinstock are producing from a script by Elisa Bell. At MGM, the project is being overseen by Elizabeth Ingold and Stephanie Palmer. Garlin is part of the Emmy-nominated producing team of Curb, which was up for a best comedy series trophy at Sunday's ceremony. He most recently starred on the big screen in Revolution Studios/Columbia Pictures' Daddy Day Care. He is repped by ICM and 3 Arts Entertainment. Lynch most recently starred in A Mighty Wind, the third installment of the Christopher Guest-Eugene Levy collaboration that previously produced Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman. She is currently filming the indie The Californians. Lynch is repped by Halpern Management.
- 9/24/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fresh from the success of Dimension Films' Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, Alexa Vega is packing her bags to join MGM's Sleepover. The Joe Nussbaum-directed comedy, which was just greenlighted, is due to begin lensing Sept. 29 in Los Angeles. The project revolves around a group of young girls the summer before they make the leap to high school. As one girl prepares to move out of town, her best friend (Vega) throws a slumber party for her and their friends the same night as the "popular girls" have their own overnight soiree. A competitive scavenger hunt ensues between the two parties, with a special prize for the winners: dibs on the best table in the high school lunchroom. Bob Cooper and Chuck Weinstock are producing from a script by Elisa Bell. At MGM, the project is being overseen by Elizabeth Ingold and Stephanie Palmer. Vega stars in all three installments of Spy Kids. Her other credits include the television series Ladies Man and films The Deep End of the Ocean and Ghosts of Mississippi. Vega is repped by SDB Partners and manager Gina Rue.
- 8/14/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Holly Hunter will star opposite Brittany Murphy in Revolution Studios' romantic comedy "Little Black Book" for British helmer Nick Huran. Production is slated to begin in August. Written by Melissa Carter and Elisa Bell, "Book" stars Murphy as Stacy, an associate producer for a daytime talk show who opens up a Pandora Box's when she goes into her boyfriend's Palm Pilot to learn more about his ex-girlfriends and ends up learning much more about herself. Hunter will play Barb, a senior associate producer at the television station who befriends Stacy and shows her the ropes. Revolution partner Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas is producing the project with producers William Sherak and Jason Shuman of Blue Star Pictures. Deborah Schindler and Rachael Horovitz are executive producing. Hunter, repped by WMA and Management 360, next stars in Fox Searchlight's feature "Thirteen". The actress, who won an Oscar for her role in "The Piano", was most recently seen in the feature films "Levity" and "Moonlight Mile". In January, Hunter was honored at the Sundance Film Festival with the 2003 Tribute to Independent Vision Award.
- 5/20/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
British helmer Nick Hurran will make his American feature directorial debut with Revolution Studios' romantic comedy Little Black Book, starring Brittany Murphy. Production is slated to begin in the summer. Hurran most recently directed the U.K. feature Plots With a View, starring Brenda Blethyn, Alfred Molina, Christopher Walken and Naomi Watts. Miramax Films is poised to release the film later this year. Written by Elisa Bell, Book finds Murphy starring as an associate producer for a daytime talk show who opens up a Pandora Box's when she goes into her boyfriend's Palm Pilot to learn more about his ex-girlfriends and ends up learning much more about herself. Murphy signed on to the project earlier this month (HR 3/6). Revolution partner Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas is producing the project with producers William Sherak and Jason Shuman of Blue Star Pictures. Deborah Schindler and Rachael Horovitz are executive producing. Hurran, repped by ICM, has previously directed such British films as Virtual Sexuality, Girl's Night and Remember Me?...
- 3/21/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Just Married star Brittany Murphy will star in Revolution Studios' romantic comedy Little Black Book for which she will receive her highest payday to date, said to be about $4 million. The price tag is quite a jump from Murphy's last paycheck, which was just slightly more than $1 million to star in the upcoming MGM film Molly Gunn. A director is expected to come aboard shortly on Book, with production slated to begin in the summer. Written by Elisa Bell, Book finds Murphy starring as an associate producer for a daytime talk show who opens up a Pandora Box's when she goes into her boyfriend's Palm Pilot to learn more about his ex-girlfriends. However, she ends up learning much more about herself. Revolution partner Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas is producing the project with producers William Sherak and Jason Shuman of Blue Star Pictures. Deborah Schindler and Rachael Horovitz are executive producing. Murphy, repped by ICM, the Firm and attorney Patty Felker, will next be seen in the indie feature Spun. She was recently seen on the big screen opposite Eminem in the feature 8 Mile.
Just Married star Brittany Murphy will star in Revolution Studios' romantic comedy Little Black Book for which she will receive her highest payday to date, said to be about $4 million. The price tag is quite a jump from Murphy's last paycheck, which was just slightly more than $1 million to star in the upcoming MGM film Molly Gunn. A director is expected to come aboard shortly on Book, with production slated to begin in the summer. Written by Elisa Bell, Book finds Murphy starring as an associate producer for a daytime talk show who opens up a Pandora's Box when she goes into her boyfriend's Palm Pilot to learn more about his ex-girlfriends. However, she ends up learning much more about herself. Revolution partner Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas is producing the project with producers William Sherak and Jason Shuman of Blue Star Pictures. Deborah Schindler and Rachael Horovitz are executive producing. Murphy, repped by ICM, the Firm and attorney Patty Felker, will next be seen in the indie feature Spun. She was recently seen on the big screen opposite Eminem in the feature 8 Mile.
Sixteen years after Chevy Chase loaded up the station wagon and hauled the wife and two kids off on one of his family-bonding vacations, this comic franchise is retracing overly traveled roads. Unfortunately, "Vegas Vacation" is not getting the same kind of laugh mileage as its more supple (excluding "European Vacation") precursors. Still, for those of us with a weak spot for the Griswold clan, there are enough welcome familiarities and slapstick sojourns to titillate, if not entirely tickle, the funny bone. Sagely produced by Jerry Weintraub, "Vegas'" funniest moments are, quite simply, inspired by the neo-neon setting of the land of Wayne Newton.
With the kids self-absorbed in their late-teen situations, papa Clark (Chase) entices his clan, including adoring wife Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) and kids (Ethan Embry, Marisol Nichols), to take yet another family vacation. It's not an idea that they readily warm to, but Clark smartly pitches it as an opportunity for him and Ellen to renew their wedding vows. Packed and strung with plenty of silent-screen-style slapstick, this "Vacation" once again features Chase as the lovably klutzy family man whose eagerness to make the vacation perfect invariably botches things up. Indeed, screenwriter Elisa Bell dutifully follows the raucous road that writer-director John Hughes laid out with such anarchic energy during this franchise's early years. Despite following the same narrative map, "Vegas Vacation" never settles into more than a trip-tick around Las Vegas as the Griswolds are shepherded to one Vegas show -- Siegfried & Roy, Newton, etc. -- after another. There's a feeble story attempt to give Clark a gambling problem and a rather unbelievable interlude when Newton makes some moves on mama Griswold, but there's little comic substance.
While director Stephen Kessler has a smart, sardonic eye on Las Vegas craziness and an eager appreciation for using slapstick, the gags are slackly strung together and lamely punctuated. Not surprisingly, both Chase and D'Angelo have their parts down pat. As the squirrely but square Clark, Chase is a perfect blend of out-of-control compulsiveness, while D'Angelo is winningly radiant as his sweet-and-saucy wife. Still, "Vegas'" chief winnings come courtesy of the well-selected supporting players. Wallace Shawn, as a nettlesome and snide dealer, is a particular highlight, while Randy Quaid is once again a hoot as Clark's metal-brained cousin. As Jilly from Philly, producer Weintraub does an appropriately chilly turn as a guy you don't want to mess with.
Up and down the filmic strip, production values are flush, including William A. Fraker's snazzy cinematography and Carol James' aptly tacky costuming.
VEGAS VACATION
Warner Bros.
A Jerry Weintraub production
Producer Jerry Weintraub
Director Stephen Kessler
Screenwriter Elisa Bell
Story Elisa Bell, Bob Ducsay
Executive producers Matty Simmons,
Susan Ekins
Co-producer R.J. Louis
Director of photography William A. Fraker
Production designer David L. Snyder
Costume designer Carol James
Editor Seth Flaum
Music Joel McNeely
Color/stereo
Cast:
Clark Griswold Chevy Chase
Ellen Griswold Beverly D'Angelo
Cousin Eddie Randy Quaid
Rusty Griswold Ethan Embry
Dealer Wallace Shawn
Audrey Griswold Marisol Nichols
Cousin Catherine Miriam Flynn
Cousin Vickie Shae D'Lyn
Himself Wayne Newton
Themselves Siegfried & Roy
Running time -- 92 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
With the kids self-absorbed in their late-teen situations, papa Clark (Chase) entices his clan, including adoring wife Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) and kids (Ethan Embry, Marisol Nichols), to take yet another family vacation. It's not an idea that they readily warm to, but Clark smartly pitches it as an opportunity for him and Ellen to renew their wedding vows. Packed and strung with plenty of silent-screen-style slapstick, this "Vacation" once again features Chase as the lovably klutzy family man whose eagerness to make the vacation perfect invariably botches things up. Indeed, screenwriter Elisa Bell dutifully follows the raucous road that writer-director John Hughes laid out with such anarchic energy during this franchise's early years. Despite following the same narrative map, "Vegas Vacation" never settles into more than a trip-tick around Las Vegas as the Griswolds are shepherded to one Vegas show -- Siegfried & Roy, Newton, etc. -- after another. There's a feeble story attempt to give Clark a gambling problem and a rather unbelievable interlude when Newton makes some moves on mama Griswold, but there's little comic substance.
While director Stephen Kessler has a smart, sardonic eye on Las Vegas craziness and an eager appreciation for using slapstick, the gags are slackly strung together and lamely punctuated. Not surprisingly, both Chase and D'Angelo have their parts down pat. As the squirrely but square Clark, Chase is a perfect blend of out-of-control compulsiveness, while D'Angelo is winningly radiant as his sweet-and-saucy wife. Still, "Vegas'" chief winnings come courtesy of the well-selected supporting players. Wallace Shawn, as a nettlesome and snide dealer, is a particular highlight, while Randy Quaid is once again a hoot as Clark's metal-brained cousin. As Jilly from Philly, producer Weintraub does an appropriately chilly turn as a guy you don't want to mess with.
Up and down the filmic strip, production values are flush, including William A. Fraker's snazzy cinematography and Carol James' aptly tacky costuming.
VEGAS VACATION
Warner Bros.
A Jerry Weintraub production
Producer Jerry Weintraub
Director Stephen Kessler
Screenwriter Elisa Bell
Story Elisa Bell, Bob Ducsay
Executive producers Matty Simmons,
Susan Ekins
Co-producer R.J. Louis
Director of photography William A. Fraker
Production designer David L. Snyder
Costume designer Carol James
Editor Seth Flaum
Music Joel McNeely
Color/stereo
Cast:
Clark Griswold Chevy Chase
Ellen Griswold Beverly D'Angelo
Cousin Eddie Randy Quaid
Rusty Griswold Ethan Embry
Dealer Wallace Shawn
Audrey Griswold Marisol Nichols
Cousin Catherine Miriam Flynn
Cousin Vickie Shae D'Lyn
Himself Wayne Newton
Themselves Siegfried & Roy
Running time -- 92 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
- 2/18/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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