Lights Out

Did you ever walk out of a movie theater thinking, "What the hell was that?" "Night and the City" is one of those movies.

"Night" marks the second big-screen outing as director for Irwin Winkler, whose first film, "Guilty by Suspicion," also starred Robert DeNiro. In the future, however, he should stick to his strong suit--producing films: "Raging Bull," "Goodfellas," "Rocky" and "The Right Stuff" are among his best (and best-known) productions.

The storyline of "Night and the City" reads like a bad choose-your-own-adventure novel in which every decision is wrong. Who deserves the credit for this drivel? Richard Price wrote the screenplay, adapting it from Jo Eisinger's original 1950 version, which itself was based on the Gerald Kersh novel. You decide.

DeNiro plays Harry Fabian, an ambulance chaser (a.k.a. personal injury lawyer) who wants to be somebody. He decides to bring back the good old days of boxing with the help of Al Grossman (Jack Warden), a retired prizefighter prone to coronary failure.

"Boom Boom" Grossman (Al's brother), well-played by Alan King as the intimidating gangster-type, threatens Fabian. If Al dies during Fabian's boxing fiasco, so does Fabian (foreshadowing?). And Boom Boom already has good reason to follow through: He hates Fabian because of confrontations in their favorite pub, plus Fabian's dream poses a potential threat to his own boxing promotion corporation.

The plot thickens with a few more characters: Add one brooding bartender (Cliff Gorman) who hates Fabian but agrees to loan him $12,000 the day before the big event (hint, hint?), the bartender's wife (Jessica Lange) who loves Fabian and a bookie who likes Fabian but will kill him if he reneges on his loan (a harbinger?).

Predictable plot aside, the filming (Tak "You Should be Ashamed" Fujimoto) and editing (David "Albatross" Brenner) provide an educational experience for the filmmaker-to-be. Unexpected zooming and random camera angles reminiscent of home video abound. Let's see how many different shots we can get of two people kissing in a doorway...or is it two different doorways?...or is it in a subway station?

We hear many New York City sounds, presumably to make up for the lack of city sights. Mix those distracting noises with occasionally suitable music and one cannot help but wonder--did a sound technician make a mistake or are we not supposed to hear these conversations? Once again, you decide.

The cast does manage to present some adequate caricatures of their cardboard roles. DeNiro, as always, brings as much depth as possible to the doomed but hopeful Fabian. Lange, however, who acts best when expressing silent frustration with a cigarette, cannot even maintain an elementary New York City accent.

The film title aptly reflects the film--forgetable and inappropriate. One scoop of chocolate, on scoop of vanilla, don't waste my time.

"Night and the City" Directed by Irwin Winkler At Loews Fresh Pond