THAT OLD FEELING (1997) *** For the first half Bette Midler and Dennis Farina absolutely star in a wild, zany madcap comedy so wonderful that its monumental intelligence is no better than tertiary. Then there's an extended dead spot, but it regains much of its grandeur at the end. The first part, though, is so great that there's enough momentum to ride through the dead spot, and even it has its own, slighter, moments. The dialogue/monologue that Leslie Dixon puts in David Rasche's mouth is satire for the ages, you're going to want to try this in your own home. There is much to be admired, and learned from, psychology and new age contemplation, all the more reason to go after the quacks! Just like evangelists, but I digress… The film is romantic, relevant, insightful, iconoclastic oblivious to considerations that sidetrack lesser beasts. The targets are properly marked (quacks, Republicans, bourgeoisie morality) and met, the truest of virtues celebrated, and the audience left happy. Mission accomplished.
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