Review by Dragan Antulov
1 star out of 4
Titles, like almost any other aspect of the film, can be wasted. One
of the best examples could be found in YEAR OF THE COMET,
directed in 1992 by Peter Yates. The title suggests science fiction
spectacle that deals with the same subject as ARMAGEDDON or,
at least, serious drama or comedy dealing with the way
apocalyptic prophecies reflect themselves on history or popular
culture. Best known year of the Comet was 1910 when the
appearance of Halley's Comet convinced many people that
something more than Gilded Age was at end. But the scriptwriter
William Goldman had referred to entirely different period - for him
the year of the comet was 1811, less remembered among
historians, yet very interesting period to wine connoisseurs. One of
them is Sir Mason Harwood (played by Ian Richardson) who sends
his daughter Margaret (played by Penelope Ann Miller) to Scottish
castle in order to arrange the sale of bottle containing Lafitte 1811
- the most precious wine from Napoleon's private collection. She
is joined by Oliver Plexico (played by Tim Daly), representative of a
wealthy American buyer. Two of them soon discover their task to
be anything but routine - some mysterious individuals also want
the bottle, and, as a result, Plexico's and Harwood's lives are in
danger.
British director Peter Yates in his long and prolific career had an
opportunity to develop directorial skills and they are quite evident
in this action comedy. Yet, even his professionalism isn't enough to
compensate the inadequacies of the script, which is, ironically,
written by William Goldman, one of the best known and most
respected screenwriters and script doctors in Hollywood. The silly
plot, which is a cross between ROMANCING THE STONE and
adventure comedies of the Old Hollywood, could have at least
been basis for some humour and action, but the characters are
undeveloped and the villains are too cartoonish. Penelope Ann
Miller does her best to give some charm to her heroine, yet even
she can't hide the lack chemistry between her and terribly miscast
Tim Daly. The humour is also deep bellow the standards we expect
from today's action comedy and despite interesting Scottish and
French locations, YEAR OF THE COMET has a low budget look,
thus completing impression that something more than title was
wasted here.
Copyright © 2002 Dragan Antulov
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out of 4
