bix171
08-14-2003, 12:51 AM
Jonathan Demme’s unfortunate updating of Stanley Donen’s minor comedy-thriller “Charade” lacks the only thing the original had going for it, namely the obvious chemistry between leads Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. “The Truth About Charlie” features a self-serious, one-dimensional Thandie Newton and a wooden Mark Wahlberg, showing no interest in either each other or in lightening up—Demme has apparently asked them to take the proceedings entirely too seriously and they’re only too happy to oblige. Demme’s obvious intention to deliver lighter fare after the somber “Beloved” and “Philadelphia” is in principle a good idea and this should have been a fun romp. But it’s isn’t and it’s easy to see where Demme goes wrong: the unfortunate casting is perhaps the worst in several years and not even the international supporting cast (including Christine Boisson, Ted Levine, Joong-Hoon Park and a smug Tim Robbins) or the French New Wave cameos (Agnes Varda, Charles Aznavour and Anna Karina) can save it. It’s a whimpering bore and a waste—coming from a director of Demme’s stature, it’s also a major disappointment.