Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site ames.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!mhuxn!mhuxr!ulysses!allegra!oliveb!hplabs!ames!jaw From: jaw@ames.UUCP (James A. Woods) Newsgroups: net.movies,net.misc.coke Subject: Dusan Makavejev's splendid original-formula "The Coca Cola Kid" Message-ID: <1084@ames.UUCP> Date: Wed, 14-Aug-85 01:13:09 EDT Article-I.D.: ames.1084 Posted: Wed Aug 14 01:13:09 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 17-Aug-85 16:17:54 EDT Distribution: net Organization: NASA-Ames Research Center, Mtn. View, CA Lines: 49 Xref: watmath net.movies:7385 net.misc.coke:255 plot: An obsessive and patriotic U.S. distributor of Coca Cola attempts to enlarge the multi-national's territory in the Australian outback. There's more -- consult a professional film reviewer for further minutiae (e.g. Judy Stone, S.F. Chronicle, 8/11/85). The timing of the film is perfect; this may thwart the cosy place normally reserved in the auteur's heart for college-town sleepers. for Coca Cola freaks, it's essentially what you are all about: Makavejev has "thought through" carbonated beverage politics here, just as Yquem has done for sauterne, Hawken has done for econometrics, and Ritchie has done for Unix I/O. for Makavejev mavens (you know who you are): Purposely not as daring as "Sweet Movie" or the Reichian "W.R.", it nevertheless harbors it's own obliquities. The wry subtleties were crafted out of a desire (though by no means hypocritical), to obtain financial backing. Makavejev's trademarks are all there, ranging from the scatological motif, to a de tocqueville-like curiosity for the mores of a non-native land, to an unavoidable erotic tension which would make the likes of director Nicolas Roeg (r.i.p.) throb with jealousy. for people who like: frisky secretaries the cinematography of Oz including de rigueur Aboriginal didgeridoo shots more of the variety of a Peter Weir than of a George Miller. catchy advert jingles (the credits to the Coke song include a certain wog formerly of the Rutles parody band.) method acting Paul Snider transforms from the mustachioed weasel of Star 80 into a Bowie-like persona. the Coca Cola Kid is a refreshing wonder. -- James A. Woods (ames!jaw, or jaw@amelia) p.s. "The only performance that makes it, that makes it all the way, is one that achieves madness." -- Jagger in "Performance"