Five Corners (1988)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

A Masterpiece!

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

This is an intriguing movie. The cast is mainly budding superstars. Their performances here are in keeping with their march up the ladder to A-list status. Tim Robbins especially connects with an ex-ruffian that has found his conscience. He wants in to a trip to Mississippi, to join MLK's freedom fighters. His explanation to a Malcom X type recruiter in Harlem, is heartfelt and well delivered. The rest perform their quirky roles well, thru some very quirky situations. The movie is very..... quirky.But....the writer, who went on to Oscar consideration later in life, has really stretched stuff to fit the plot. The mood change is radical, sub-plots are diverting, but unnecessary. And the worst to me was Jodie being "slugged" and knocked out. She remains knocked out while, carried from the subway, a car theft, a police shootout, a car crash, a 3rd floor Mom/Son confrontation, a climb to a rooftop and a 3 way struggle on the roof. Then she wakes up, reasonably clear headed!?!?! Hmmm! Too much for me. The "inept" police approach was good comedy and again, the cast showed the promise of bigger things to come!! Worth a watch! (in fact, watch the credits roll for a laugh out loud moment!)

Classics and Shakespearean scholars of the world, unite! This one is for you! Outside frame #1: Cupids whose arrows are directed toward anger and hatred, not toward instilling love.Inside frames: 1. Snow White rescued from troll-baby by Prince Charming, who doesn't want to stick around, with a side-kick who becomes disabled in the process, and who pines for Snow White's love. Troll-baby is cast into spell-bondage (prison).2. Snow White learns that troll-baby has been released from spell-bondage and is coming back around. Prince Charming also is back in the neighborhood, but isn't interested in fighting any more.3. Prince Charming has bigger dragons to slay: racism.4. Snow White bravely tackles troll-baby herself, but angers him in the process. Seeing no help from Prince Charming, she turns to the side-kick.5. Side-kick leads her to the underground, where troll-baby has power; troll-baby takes over and seizes her, leaving side-kick helpless on the ground.6. Prince Charming re-engages, re-unites with side-kick, and end up confronting troll-baby above ground (Bronx rooftops).Outside frame #2: Re-enter cupids with arrows directed toward anger and hatred.Sub-plots akin to Puck and Peasebottom in Shakespeare, each with comedic elements: 1. Glue-sniffing young women and the cupids, in elevators shafts and bowling alleys. 2. The police, alive and dead.Contrary view: Shakespeare would have had a marriage in there somewhere. There is a potential marriage, but it's not consummated or celebrated.Do I read too much into this one? Possibly. But enjoy it!!!! It's under-rated.

Great movie with great acting. Having grown up in that part of the Bronx during that era, so much of the film rings true to me. As the film depicts there were good times & isolated horrific incidents. Shanley, the author has an ear for the rhythms of the era. Jodie Foster gives a nuanced understated performance portraying her character, making her very real.Tim Robbins in his pre-political gadfly days,also turns in an affecting performance.The supporting cast is excellent. I vividly recall the incident with the penguin in the fountain (much more benign in reality) from my teen age years. The film is a winner in every way.

I came across this film on sale, and purchased it because I saw the leading roles- Jodie Foster and Tim Robbins, before they really got famous, and I was surprised at how well the movie was done. Set in the 60s, Five Corners rings true with tone and mood of the times. Plot is straightfoward and even mildly believable, but what the film's shining aspect is its portrayal of human emotions- its very clean, raw look at the fundamental of social interaction.Listen to Jamie's cries at his abducted girlfriend through the steel subway bars. Feel his pain as he scratches for the just-beyond-reach token. Though seemingly one dimensional at first, Heinz is a complex, tortured character with roots (albeit predictably) from youth and upbringing. The film belies its innocent appearance with a few unexpected flashes of violence, yet maintains a positive feel with occaisional punchlines. Another surprise is Eriq La Salle, who plays a commanding role in the film's racial commentary. (Look for his surgeonesque brusque manner in his pre-Benton, MD role.)All together with a mysterious archer vigilante (?) in the midst and cute penguins mucking about, this film is worthy of your time if you have some extra.Verdict for a five dollar DVD? A+ simply on the Beatles tune alone.