Product: Crazy in Alabama [VHS] (1999)
Rating: 3.0
Not great, but agood first directorial effort by Banderas
Crazy in Alabama is one of my all-time favorite books. The movie doesn't quite measure up to it. Melanie Griffith is ALMOST perfect as Aunt Lucille. She sure is charming and fun in the role. But it should have been established right from the get-go that Aunt Lucille is no spring chicken. At 40 or 41 (when this film was made), Miss Griffith is no "34 years old" as the radio announcer in the getaway car says.In the book a talent scout saw Lucille in a community theatre production of The Sound of Music. He saw "star quality and talent" in her small role. So when he invites her to look him up in Hollywood, you can believe that he will cast her in a TV show. But in the movie we are asked to believe Lucille merely sent in her head shots and ALL OF HOLLYWOOD has gone crazy over her and -- SIGHT UNSEEN -- she is offered a role in Bewitched. I DON'T THINK SO! (Can you imagine how many Hollywood hopefuls send in their headshots to movie studios?)But aside from these glitches, the rest of the film is very moving and dramatic. Not bad for a first time director.