A CB radio opens a channel for evil in John Dahl's Joy Ride . When two lovers meet in Serendipity , it's a rather unfortunate accident. Jerry Meander Grateful Dawg isn't quite alive enough to be Dead. This Vampire should prove D -lightful for fans of dark fantasy. Besides, by the time we reach the film's romantic ground zero, when a reluctant Kevin Spacey finally pulls out his Peacemaker to give Helen Hunt a little Deep Impact , Leder has reined us in with her blitzkrieg of benevolence.
Resistance is futile.
But that's leaping ahead a bit. Indeed, something has hit Eugene right in the face, eliciting an initial gasp from his punk munchkins, as his neck and much of his lower jaw are covered in rubber cement designed to look like scar tissue. Arlene, enraged by what she perceives as Eugene's indirect meddling in her unhappy tract house, lets her rigid nipples lead her to the lair of the exceedingly eloquent but emotionally shielded teacher. As the film's knowing testament to its own cuteness, Chandler initially refuses the gift, asking if it's merely an incentive for him to kill Thorsen's wife. The movie's sappy spoon-feeding grows tedious at times, but the show of warts is commendable and provides nearly ample balance.