Todd Louiso's LOVE LIZA is a depressing and fairly pointless movie about Wilson
Joel (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a man who develops a severe drug addiction after
his wife, Liza, commits suicide. Although he's willing to huff gasoline if
that's all that's available, Wilson's poison of choice is remote-controlled
model airplane fuel. He's a generous guy who's willing to share whatever
flammables he has with the local teenage huffers.
Basically a one-person vehicle, the movie wastes Kathy Bates (ABOUT SCHMIDT) in
a throwaway supporting role as Liza's mom. Hoffman, who was so terrific
recently in 25TH HOUR, which should win him a supporting actor nomination if the
Academy has half a brain, isn't able to do anything with his character this
time.
The only significant subplot concerns a suicide letter that Liza left for
Wilson. He spends most of the movie carrying it conspicuously while refusing to
open it. When, eventually, he does read it, it is as big a letdown as is the
rest of the story.
LOVE LIZA runs 1:33. It is rated R for "drug use, language and brief nudity"
and would be acceptable for older teenagers.
Copyright © 2003 Steve Rhodes
out of 4
