‘Spanglish’ gets lost in translation

JOHN DEPKO

I’ve been a fan of writer and director James L. Brooks ever since his

days with “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” He has provided memorable

dialogue and human truths in such movies as “Terms of Endearment,”

“Broadcast News” and “As Good As It Gets.”

But his newest effort, “Spanglish,” left me uneasy and

unsatisfied.

This dramatic comedy explores relationships between mothers and

daughters, men and women, and cross-cultural differences and values.

Perhaps it’s too much for one movie -- it’s difficult to do

justice to all of the characters.

As told by Cristina, a young woman applying to an Ivy League

college, she tells us about her being raised in Mexico by her

beautiful single mom Flor (Paz Vega). Eventually they come to the

U.S. and live in a Latino community before Flor takes a job in

Beverly Hills with the Clasky family, making more money than ever

before.

But Flor’s success doesn’t come without a price. She is hindered

by her inability to speak English and by her insensitive, neurotic

employer Deborah (Tea Leoni). The Claskys rent a Malibu house for the

summer, persuade Flor and her daughter to stay with them, and then

things get really complicated.

There’s an obvious attraction between Flor and John Clasky (Adam

Sandler, trying his best), a sensitive, successful chef who loves his

family but is constantly placating his self-centered, overbearing

wife. Even when they make love, he tells her, “you don’t need me.”

Some great scenes feature young Cristina (Shelbie Bruce) and

Deborah’s daughter Bernice (Sarah Steele), still sporting more baby

fat than her peers. You wish that Bernie could have as loving and

devoted a mom as Flor -- in fact, Cristina gets much more positive

attention from Deborah than her own daughter, much to Flor’s concern.

The gap between the “haves” and the “have nots” is laid bare to

the point where Flor finally asks her daughter if her goal is to

become as different from her as possible.

Tea Leoni almost sucks the air out of the room with her fierce

portrayal. Paz Vega is sweet, but her eyelash-batting started to get

cloying.

The best thing going for “Spanglish” is Cloris Leachman’s Emily.

As Deborah’s still-lovely alcoholic mother, she sees everybody’s

pain and quietly offers comfort without being judgmental. What a

movie her character would have made!

‘Aviator’ soars like a classic

Certain to be nominated for Best Picture, “The Aviator” is

old-fashioned moviemaking at its classic best. Director Martin

Scorsese has tempered the cutting-edge style he brought to

“Goodfellas” and “Raging Bull.” He finally achieves the polished look

and wide audience appeal of Hollywood’s grand epic films.

The stunning visuals and score are complimented by a screenplay

that does justice to the complex life of one of the most celebrated

and tragic figures of the 20th century.

Howard Hughes was a combination of millionaire playboy, movie

producer, aircraft inventor and tabloid sensation. Leonardo DiCaprio

does a magnificent job capturing the troubled man’s life through 20

turbulent years of American history and culture.

His Oscar-quality performance covers the wild swings in the

fortunes and mental states of this figure.

But this movie is filled with actors playing real people, who

lived their lives in the nation’s spotlight.

Cate Blanchett is outstanding as the legendary Katherine Hepburn.

She brings more than enough confidence and verve to the role to

insure an acting nomination.

Likewise for Kate Beckinsale as the sultry Ava Gardner. You know

this is a major motion picture when even the smallest roles are

played by top notch actors. Alec Baldwin, Jude Law, Willem Defoe and

Alan Alda are among the many who lend gravitas to minor characters.

Like most epic movies, it’s a little too long at nearly three

hours, but it’s got a lot of territory to cover.

First-class special effects bring life to many spectacular scenes

of flying and crashing. Episodes hinting at Howard’s future descent

into madness are strange and unsettling.

Still, the plot is filled with the glitter and glamour of the

times he lived.

If you appreciate classic cinema, “The Aviator” is one of the

year’s best.