Fine in principle: three goyim (Ellen Burstyn, Diane Ladd, Olympia Dukakis) ought to be able to portray Jewish widows, and a black director (Bill Duke) and past specialist in action films (A Rage in Harlem, Deep Cover) ought to be able to direct them. All it should take is imagination. It would take more than that, however, when saddled with Ivan Menchell's script. (Close your eyes, put your finger down anywhere: "You like Eye-talian?" "I think they're very nice people." Again: "You got beautiful teeth." "Thank you. They're all mine." Again: "That's the way I want to go. In my sleep." "Sweetheart, with the amount of time we've been spending in bed, I think your chances are pretty good." But enough.) Ellen Burstyn, who would be worth watching whether portraying a Venusian or a wax sculpture, doesn't turn herself wrong-side-out to fit the stereotype, and in doing so (or not doing so) she strikes a blow for human oneness. Bill Duke, still a "young" director, with only two prior theatrical films to his name, sticks so close to principle that he gets no decent practice. Danny Aiello, Lainie Kazan. (1993) — Duncan Shepherd
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