But you can sense the clamoring demons within. When they finally emerge, it is with startling and lethal stealth. These are not actions inspired by clear-cut motives, and Mr. Mac Lachlan is courageous in portraying behavior that usually seems more a matter of biophysics than what is traditionally known as character. The work falters in explanatory scenes with the feeling of interpolations suggested in a playwriting class, especially those flashbacks showing Shirley abusing the younger Soren. She is less confident in building to dramatically resonant climaxes.
Scenes usually end limply.
And the noisy, ominous rock music undermines rather than underscores emotional impact. The performances, however, are first rate. Her Shirley emanates a bubbly, almost childlike sexuality that can quickly turn nasty, bringing to mind the young Tuesday Weld. She's a case of arrested development with enough of an adult's awareness to condemn herself but not enough to stop herself. Ms. Taylor subtly but devastatingly suggests the mortal chill in Shirley's contagious warmth.