Ledger leads in ‘Four Feathers’; ‘Banger Sisters’ show a good

time

‘Four Feathers’ flies as weekend flick pick

This past Monday, what movie was the talk around the water cooler?

“Ballistic”? “Swimfan”? If so, you have got to be kidding me. It’s

the end of the summer and Oscar season is about to begin, leaving

little to be said for the quality of film released in September.

However, I do believe “The Four Feathers” delivers a good theater

experience with few hitches.

Henry Faversham (Heath Ledger), an officer in the declining days

of the British Empire, resigns his post after learning he is about to

be sent to battle in the Sudan. Subsequently he is disowned by his

father and receives four white feathers from his friends and fiancee

as symbols of what they believe to be his cowardice. Thus begins

Henry’s quest to reclaim his dignity and prove himself to be a man of

honor.

Luckily, what the previews made out to be yet another “epic war

film” was completely different, and to me that’s poetry. This is a

wonderful coming-of-age film that was well written and well cast. I

enjoyed the story immensely, however something was lacking in the

directing that prevented the normal water works I emit in such an

experience.

Certain aspects of the story were underdeveloped. More interaction

was needed between Henry and his friends and fiancee to up the ante

in the need to prove himself and restore the relationships at all

costs.

In any case, I was thoroughly impressed by Ledger’s performance.

The deep emotion he portrayed truly caused you to forget about the

war and focus on the journey and his tenacious desire for

restoration.

“The Four Feathers” is rated PG-13 for intense battle sequences,

disturbing images, violence and some sensuality.

* DEANDRA RICH is a novice screenplay writer in Costa Mesa who

hopes to one day turn Ebert and Roeper into Ebert and Rich.

Value to be found in funny ‘Banger Sisters’

In “The Banger Sisters,” we meet the characters one at a time.

Suzette (Goldie Hawn) has the prime position as a has-been of the

1970s. She has lived in Los Angeles since that magical time. Losing

employment and with nothing on the horizon to offer hope, she heads

home to Phoenix in an aging convertible.

After running out of cash and failing to get cash from strangers,

she meets Harry (Geoffrey Rush). He trades a tank full of gas for a

ride to the Arizona city. Harry, truly a mixed-up writer, is on a

mission to find his father.

Suzette’s best buddy during the ‘70s, Lavinia (Susan Sarandon),

stayed in safe and sane Phoenix and married an attorney. She now has

two spoiled daughters who cannot believe their mom wasn’t always the

prim and proper mother they know.

There is much of value in “The Banger Sisters.” The movie is well

crafted. Each actor fulfills his or her persona. You may be taken

aback by Hawn’s character. Rush does his usual fine depiction and

stays the course.

The film’s dialogue is often rough and some viewers may feel that

some situations are in bad taste. There are, however, some funny

moments.

“The Banger Sisters” is rated R for language, sexual content and

some drug use.

* ELAINE ENGLAND lives in Newport Beach and owns a gift-basket

business, which she operates out of her home.