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'Suburbans': And the Beat Goes on, Even When It Shouldn't
New York Times - October 29, 1999
By JANET MASLIN
The Suburbans" is the kind of breezy little movie that can't get
arrested these days. It's cute and jokey and has no particular
edge. Rock-and-roll and relationships are its concerns, as was the case
with Allison Anders and Kurt Voss' recent "Sugar Town," a better and
more ambitious recent film that had no luck in finding an audience. Even
at their best, inexpensive films without a sting have a way of getting lost in
the shuffle.
This one has its moments, though. Set on Long Island, it concerns an
over-the-hill '80s rock band that is coaxed into a comeback despite
obvious obstacles. One guy's old stage outfit is so tight it makes him faint.
(Nowadays he's more likely to be found in a "Kiss the Cook" apron at
his backyard barbecue.) Also, he sells insurance. Another has a stake in
a Long Island nightclub that is optimistically named Funky Nassau. When
the Suburbans try to rehearse onstage, one has to tell another, "Rory, I
know it's been a long time, but the drums go in the back."
"The Suburbans" was directed by Donal Lardner Ward, who wrote the
screenplay with Tony Guma and plays the Suburban's lead singer,
Danny. ( Guma plays Rory, the drummer.) Also in the group are
scene-stealing Craig Bierko in a wise-guy role a la Jeff Goldblum, and
Will Ferrell as the band member who bursts into tears during his MTV
interview. "Shut up, Kurt Loder!" the interviewer is finally told.
Familiar faces turn up in amusing small roles. Jerry Stiller and Ben Stiller
have funny moments as an incomprehensible father-son duo running a
record company. Jennifer Love Hewitt slinks through the story as a
record-company executive who rediscovers the band, much to the
chagrin of Danny's girlfriend (Amy Brenneman).
Domestic scenes drag on a bit, since the touches of rock parody are
better executed. Everybody looks youthful enough to suggest that the film
may have spent time on the shelf.
"The Suburbans" includes mild profanity and brief sexual situations.
PRODUCTION NOTES
'THE SUBURBANS'
Directed by Donal Lardner Ward;
written by Ward and Tony Guma;
director of photography, Michael
Barrett; edited by Kathryn Himoff;
music by Robbie Konder;
production designer, Usan Bolles; produced by Michael Burns, Brad
Krevoy, J.J. Abrams and Leanna Creel; released by Tri-Star Pictures.
Running time: 90 minutes. This film is not rated.
Cast: Amy Brenneman (Grace), Donal Lardner Ward (Danny), Tony
Guma (Rory), Craig Bierko (Mitch), Will Ferrell (Gil), Jennifer Love
Hewitt (Cate), Robert Loggia (Jules), Jerry Stiller (Speedo Silverberg),
Ben Stiller (Jay Rose) and David LaChapelle (Thorlakur).
Copyright © 1999 New York Times. All rights reserved.
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