Coppola: From Wine to Haterade

Francis Ford Coppola’s new opus Youth Without Youth has been getting panned unanimously by critics – the only thing they can’t seem to agree on is what constitutes the most offensive part of the film. Variety thinks that you “will be disappointed by the mishmash plotting and stilted script.” While Salon argues that the director himself is to blame: “it’s a picture that appears to have been made by an individual who has fallen off the edge of reason.” (Ouch.) And then follows up by assuring us that the frustrations aren’t limited to just Coppola’s judgment: “Watching it was misery.” Finally, there was the review by The New York Observer. The paper’s critic left the screening with a gut feeling; he called it “an indigestible attack of acid reflux.”

Maybe it’s the plot that left them underwhelmed. Adapted from the book by Eliade, this film follows an aging man through love, time travel, superhuman powers, an evil twin (yes, it goes there), and Nazis. You would think that this eclectic assortment of storylines would only please critics: After all, there’s something for everyone! This is not the case. It is, however, one of those things that you have to see to not appreciate, and you can do just that today at Lake Worth Playhouse (713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth). Showtimes are: 1:30, 4:00, and 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $6 to $8. Call 561-586-6169, or visit www.lakeworthplayhouse.org.
Mon., March 3, 2008