Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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L_J an unnerving portmitof a killer by Matt Wolf Associated Press The latest film from Atom Egoyan, who scored Academy Award nominations two years ago for writing and directing “The Sweet Hereafter,” could be called “The Deadly Present.” mow can tnat be, you might asK, especially given the lilting purr of an English Midlands accent affected by the movie’s star, Bob Hoskins, in uncharacteristically courtly form? It’s Egoyan’s way to address potentially sensationalistic materi al indirectly, even obliquely, to catch the audience off-guard. The result — “Felicia’s Journey” — is perhaps the quietest film ever made about a serial killer, though no less unnerving. Those in search of emotional signposts may resist Egoyan’s method, a reflection of his refusal in “The Sweet Hereafter ” to play that film’s topic — a community tom apart by a school bus crash — for cheap sentimentality. At heart, Egoyan’s style is one of a clinician whose apparent cool sometimes leaves viewers wondering whether he has a heart. But there’s something to be said for this director’s stealth, which keeps its distance from emotions that other filmmakers would quickly wal low in. Like The Sweet Hereafter, which was drawn from a Russell Banks novel, “Felicia’s Journey” has a literary source in the fic tion of William Trevor. And, unusual for the movies, this film is in essence what in the theater is called a “two-hander” — a duet turned face-off between putative friends who end up potentially murderous adversaries. At the start, there’s little to suggest the intentions of Hoskins’ character, Joseph Hilditch, a catering supervisor who inspires affec tion among his staff at work but spends evenings alone fussing around the enormous kitchen of his rambling home. nuuuui rniujj cumpamuiiMiip in grainy viueoiapeu 01 a uecaueb old cooking program hosted by Gala (Arsinee Khanjian), a cheerily eccentric Frenchwoman who is glimpsed in the footage alongside her plump and clearly discomfited young son — Hilditch. Into this ordered yet solitary life comes Felicia (Elaine Cassidy), a pregnant 17-year-old Irish girl who has arrived in England in search of her boyfriend. ' Unable to find him, Felicia strikes up a hesitant friendship with Hilditch. But what seems like a meeting between two emotionally way ward, kindred souls begins to sour as Felicia learns the fates of oth er teen-age girls who have fallen under Hilditch’s spell. And yet, the film refuses to take the easy way out by demoniz ing Hilditch. In its reined-in manner, “Felicia’s Journey” allows for the possibility of healing. By contrast, Khanjian—Egoyan’s real-life wife—is deliciously over-the-top as the daffy, demanding mother, while Claire Benedict stays just the right side of caricature, playing an itinerant preacher whose unexpected arrival prompts the film’s climax. Hoskins seems to be enjoying a career remake, opting out of more mainstream fare in favor of the quirky, character-driven roles that first brought him attention in “Mona Lisa” and “The Long Good Friday.” Newcomer Cassidy enters completely into the riven world of Felicia, a child-woman whose romantic dreams over time become cries for survival. That Felicia not only survives but even prospers is perhaps the ultimate surprise in that rare film about a killer to turn something potentially grisly into a study in grace. “Felicia’s Journey” is an Artisan Entertainment release, pro duced by Bruce Davey. It is unrated, but clearly not suitable for chil dren. Running time: 116 minutes. rr .ysragswe? Elaine Cassidy plays Felicia in Adam Egoyan’s film, “Felicia’s Journey.” Bob Hoskins (left) playsJoseph Hilditch, a catering super visor with a dark side. Kids send Pokemon' to the top of weekend box office by Paul chavez Associated Press Los Angeles — Children enthralled by the ad ventures of Pikachu helped Pokemon extend its franchise to movies over the weekend. “Pokemon: The Fust Movie” earned an esti mated $32.4 million for the top spot at the box of fice, more than doubling the $12 million earned by the second-place finisher “The Bone Collec tor,” according to early industry estimates released Sunday. The animated Warner Brothers film, which fol lows the mouse-like Pikachu and friends as they battle a bio-engineered enemy, has earned $52.1 million since its debut Wfednesday, a five-day record for animated features. The movie continues to ride a wave of Poke mon popularity fueled by elementary school-aged children. The craze began when Pokemon, which is a blend of the words “pocket monster,” appeared as a Nintendo game and expanded into a trading card series. “Pokemon couldn’t be hotter than it is right now,” said Paul Deigarabedian, president of Ex hibitor Relations Co. Inc., which tracks the box of fice. “Kids are insatiable for entertainment and they’ll consume everything that comes out in a big way.” The film will receive competition from Dis ney’s upcoming “Toy Story 2,” but should enjoy repeat business through the holidays, Dergarabe diansaid. Last week’s top film, “The Bone Collector,” saw a 28 percent drop in ticket sales over the week end but still held on for second place. The movie stars Denzel Washington as a bedridden New York cop who tries to a serial killer. M The debut o ivin Smith’s control versial film “D ed Hard with $8.8 million. The mo’ __ 1 the ire of some Ro man Catholics for its irreverent look at the na ture of faith. \ “Sometimes there’s rib such thing as bad press,” said Deigarabedian.“Film recognition and aware ness by an audience are really important and the director has been pounding the pavement pretty hard ” 1 < Audiences had a wide range of choices this past weekend with films ranging from the romantic comedy “The Bachelor” tp the tobacco industry drama “The Insider.” Filmgoers also continued to spook themselves with “The Sixth Sense,” starring Bruce Willis. The movie finished tenth in the weekend box office derby with $2.7 million and has earned $267.8 mil lion since debuting 15 weeks ago. m The ghost story, could reach the $300 milhorT mark if it receives a Golden Qlobe or Academy AwydBomination, said Chuck Vane, president of distribution for Disnav’s Buena Vista Pictures. Estimated tidppales for Friday through - Sunday at Nortlmmerican theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations. Final figures were to be re leased today. 1 4 V X. V. FOKemon: i nj za mil lion/ }2. “The Bone Colleci llion. 3. “Dogma,” $8.81 ' 4".-“The Messenger: of Joan of Arc,” $6;3 million. 5. “Anywhere But Here,” $5.7 million. 6. “The Insider,” $5.1 million. 7. “The Bachelor,” $4.7 million. 8. “House on Haunted Hill,” $4.4 million. _ 9/“J)ouble Jeopardy,” $3.1 milhon. 10. “The Sixth Sense,” $2.7-million.