THE MAN FROM ELYSIAN FIELDS — ** — Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, James Coburn, Mick Jagger, Olivia Williams, Anjelica Huston, Michael Des Barres; rated R (profanity, sex, vulgarity, nude artwork); Broadway Centre Cinemas.
It should be a good thing that "The Man from Elysian Fields" is one of the more interesting characters in the film of that title, right?
And it is. But, unfortunately, he's also more compelling than the character who's supposed to be the focus of the movie.
Of course, given that the former is played by Mick Jagger, as magnetic and charismatic a performer as you're likely to find, and the latter by Andy Garcia, an actor about as interesting as wood — and who sometimes gives performances to match — perhaps that's not so surprising.
The film boasts at least a few good ideas and features some decent performances, but the result is disappointing.
Garcia stars as Byron Tiller, a novelist still coasting on the success of his first book. He hasn't been able to sell the follow-up to anyone, and now he and his wife Dena (Julianna Margulies) are facing tough financial times.
So Byron is desperate, and perhaps that's why he listens to the propositions of one Luther Fox (Jagger), the somewhat oily proprietor of Elysian Fields, a "high-class" escort service. Luther offers a "job" to Byron, which he reluctantly accepts.
Byron's first client is Andrea Alcott (Olivia Williams), the lonely wife of a much-older millionaire. He's surprised to find that her husband is Tobias Alcott (the late James Coburn), his literary inspiration.
He's even more surprised to find that Tobias has been unable to complete or sell his latest work. So Byron agrees to read Tobias' manuscript and help re-write it, if necessary, even while he's lying to Dena about his extracurricular activities.
There are a few twists and turns in the plot, but none are as surprising as the filmmakers intend. Director George Hickenlooper also lets the pacing lag, and the movie feels twice as long as it actually is.
But the biggest problem is Garcia, who's not just uninteresting here, he's rather unlikable. He also has no spark with co-star Margulies.
The supporting cast is infinitely better, with Coburn making the strongest impression as a fading literary giant
"The Man from Elysian Fields" is rated R for occasional use of strong sex-related profanity, scenes of simulated sex and some sexual contact, use of crude sexual slang terms and some other sex talk and glimpses of nude artwork. Running time: 105 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com