Criss Cross

Stars: Goldie Hawn (Housesitter, Death Becomes Her, Deceived, Bird On A Wire), Keith Carradine (Choose Me, The Ballad Of The Sad Cafe), Arliss Howard (Ruby, Men Don't Leave, Tequila Sunrise). Told from the point-of-view of Chris Cross (David Arnott), a 12-year-old boy who lives with his divorced mother in a cheap Key West hotel, this winning drama is set during the summer of 1969 when the world watched in awe as man took his first steps on the moon. While Chris runs errands and does anything he can to supplement the family income, his mother Tracy Cross (Goldie Hawn) works as a waitress by day and a stripper by night. Chris hopes that his father (a traumatized Vietnam vet) and mother will get back together, and becomes both jealous and protective when a new man (Arliss Howard) comes into his mother's life. When Chris becomes involved in cocaine dealing, with an eye towards getting his mother off the stripper's stage she loathes, he discovers that good intentions don't necessarily justify breaking the law. Although Criss Cross takes a few melodramatic dips, the film works largely because of the strong performances of both newcomer Arnott and busy Hawn (who again demonstrates that she can handle drama). Added to the fine performances are the beautiful Florida sunsets, the excellent 1960s soundtrack (featuring hits by Steppenwolf, The Mamas & The Papas, and others), and the rare honest treatment of adolescence. Audience: Although it posted less than 3 million at the boxoffice, and was unfairly drubbed by the critics, Criss Cross has the potential to be a major video sleeper, thanks to both the ongoing presence of Hawn in back-to-back summer releases Housesitter and Death Becomes Her, and the fact that the title should generate good word-of-mouth.