moonspinner55 Review of Once Around

Once Around (1991)

Barbed comedy-drama with much internal unhappiness and little point...

[5/10 · 25 December 2006]

Richard Dreyfuss, in his patented-jerk mode, plays the self-centered, provoking, irritating new husband of family-oriented nice girl Holly Hunter, a woman in her thirties who has never been married before. As a real estate sharpie exuding snake-oil charm, Dreyfuss' character overtakes the picture. Once Hunter, her parents and her sister come to realize that he's nothing but a pain, the film hits a snag and doesn't have anywhere to turn except to sentiment (which doesn't quite play). Malia Scotch Marmo's original screenplay is curiously foul-mouthed and ill-mannered. Director Lasse Hallström tries out different tones within the context of a fairly straightforward familial theme but the results are off-putting. Nice supporting cast, including Gena Rowlands and Danny Aiello as Hunter's mom and dad, but a mostly unpleasant experience. ** from ****