Review: Illuminata (1999)

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Illuminata

Rating

Director

John Turturro

Screenplay

Brandon Cole, John Turturro (Play: Brandon Cole)

Length

1h 59m

Starring

John Turturro, Katherine Borowitz, Beverly D’Angelo, Donal McCann, Georgina Cates, Susan Sarandon, Christopher Walken, Ben Gazzara, Rufus Sewell, Bill Irwin, Aida Turturro, Rocco Sisto, Matthew Sussman

MPAA Rating

Review

“Illuminata” is actor-turned-director John Turturro’s second film. While his acting style is definitely distinct (deserving of more accolades in Robert Redford’s Quiz Show than most of his counterparts), his talent for directing is not yet developed.

Tuccio (John Turturro) is an unsuccessful playwright whose latest play hasn’t been finished. He is surrounded by a troupe of actors that would perform his play if he could get it shown, but the crusty theater managers, Astergourd (Beverly D’Angelo) and Pallenchio (Donal McCann), refuse to show it.

One evening, during a performance of the theater’s latest play, young upstart Piero (Matthew Sussman) collapses from stage fright, abruptly ending the performance. After the curtain falls and the horrified actors swarm around him, Tuccio steps out on stage and discusses the small part of the play they’ve just seen. He then segues into his own play, asking the audience if they would be interested in seeing it.

Tuccio gets his wish and the troupe performs the unfinished play. Those who see it are mystified, yet enthralled, but the critics are less than thrilled. Bevalaqua (Christopher Walken) is a prominent theater critic hated by almost everyone with a penchant for handsome young men. He doesn’t like the play, but finds one bright spot: the young, untalented Marco (Bill Irwin).

Astergourd and Pallenchio still refuse to show the play and the lead actress, Rachel (Katherine Borowitz), must do everything in her power to get the play performed again…this time with an ending.

“Illuminata” has quite a few good moments. It’s a delight to see Walken step so brazenly away from his crusty, evil façade and try on the hat of a gay theater critic. Susan Sarandon, as theater Grande Dame Celimene, uses her experience in “Rocky Horror Picture Show” to help seduce Tuccio and spread the rumor that he’s touring with her in Europe.

Turturro stays in the background, despite the film revolving heavily on his character. Beverly D’Angelo is also intriguing to see outside of her natural habitat as Clark Griswold’s foil in every “National Lampoon’s Vacation” movie.

The rest of the cast works well together for the most part, but the biggest treat in the entire film is Borowitz. Her tender performance is understated compared to the rest of the cast, but is powerful enough to carve her own niche in this otherwise two-dimensional film. Deserving of an Oscar nomination, Borowitz should find great success if she ever decides to appear in better films.

Where “Illuminata” succeeds in interesting performances, it fails in technical style and pacing. The film is long, weighing in at over two hours, but feels like more. A general audience will find themselves bored, if they even want to see the film in the first place. Turturro lets his camera linger on each shot too often.

The film also panders to the various sexual encounters of the supporting players, none of which are significantly important to the film. It’s interesting to hear about Walken scissor-locking his boy toys or seeing D’Angelo get turned on by a man who juggles dressers with his feet, but neither is significantly important to the overall film.

The last 30 minutes are stunningly poignant, but the rest of the film is hollow and self-referential. “Illuminata” could have been handled better by a different director, but then we probably wouldn’t get to see Borowitz’ fine performance, who is a good enough reason to watch, but not enough reason to praise.

Awards Prospects

Not much of a chance at Oscar nomination. Art Direction and Costume Design wouldn’t be out of the question, but aren’t likely either. If she had a higher profile, I might say that Katherine Borowitz would be a key player for the Best Actress rate, but the film doesn’t even have the box office to boost her to a nod.