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 October 25, 2002 
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LoC
Irresistible!
The Truth About Charlie, the new version of Charade is impressive

Arthur J Pais

Even those who swear by the wonderfully entertaining Stanley Donen hit Charade may not be able to resist the charms of The Truth About Charlie. Jonathan Demme's handsomely shot, musically rich and solidly acted new version of Charade.

A fast-paced adventure which also continuously pays tributes to movie classics, it will also be remembered for the lively performance by Thandie Newton.

Charade fanatics may say that the chemistry between Mark Wahlberg and Newton is no match to the sparks Cary Grant and Audrie Hepburn had created nearly 40 years ago. And the younger moviegoers may fault Demme for his preoccupation with old French classics, and may not even get the references or wonder who Francois Truffaut is and why his grave should be shown at the end.

Many will people complain that the story is not deep enough and the climax is not satisfying. Rightly so.

While Demme follows the original story more or less, he has made Paris more mysterious and interesting. The soundtrack includes a score richer than the old world melodies of Henri Mancini. It rightly reflects the current multinational music heard in Paris and similar cities across Europe.

A still from The Truth About Charlie Newton plays the young woman, Regina Lambert, looking for answers about her husband's murder and his missing fortune. Wahlberg is the mysterious 'helping hand' Joshua who is prepared to take risks to help her. After her husband's missing fortune is a menacing trio. As she comes to rely more and more on Joshua, Regina is also conflicted.

On one hand she is drawn to him. But on the other, she is deeply puzzled by allegations against him. Meanwhile, Regina herself becomes a suspect in her husband's murder. Now, it is not just the menacing trio she has to confront but also the police, And a bookish American embassy official (Tim Robbins).

The movie shows the versatility of Demme, the maker of such films as Beloved, Silence Of The Lambs, and Married To The Mob. And it is consistently entertaining.

Universal has released the movie on just about 800 screens, hoping for a strong word of mouth. The risk may pay off. If not, the leading trade publication Variety suggests Charlie could be a solid performer in ancillary markets and become a cult classic.

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Those who complain that the bond between Wahlberg and Newton is not as exciting as the one between Grant and Hepburn will at least appreciate that in reducing the age difference between the two leads, Demme has created a more realistic relationship.

Demme who had extracted a strong performance from Newton in the ill-fated Beloved has transformed her into an elegant, charming and sensuous beauty who looks even more lovable in her vulnerable moments.

Wahlberg, who has played the leads in such huge hits as The Perfect Storm and Planet Of The Apes proves that he can shine --- even more so --- in a movie that doesn't depend on special effects and forces of nature to make things lively or menacing.

While anyone can enjoy the movie's fast pace, evocative scenes of Paris and pulsating musical score, movie buffs, especially those who are aware of the influential New Wave in Europe in the 1960s, are in for a real treat.

They will appreciate the appearances of the likes of Charles Aznavour and Anna Karina. They will have a nice smile when they hear the name of Hotel Langlois. For they will remember Henri Langlois, founder of the Cinematheque Francaise.

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