Twister

If this verbal tornado set down in theaters anywhere, it quickly disappeared without a trace. Written and directed by Michael Almereyda, this strange little comedy might have been more appropriately titled "Lifestyles of the Rich and Extremely Bizarre-o." The plot, such as it is, revolves around the film's only sane character Chris's (Dylan McDermott) attempts to rescue his girlfriend Maureen (Suzy Amis) and daughter Violet from a family who's elevator doesn't quite go up to the top floor. The problem is that Maureen is more or less part and parcel of the Cleveland family--so that eccentricity is, for her, bred in the bone. The goings-on all transpire on a tremendously huge estate plopped in the middle of Kansas, and run by the soda pop magnate Daddy Cleveland (Harry Dean Stanton). The other Cleveland is Maureen's brother Howdy, an intense artistic type (played with characteristic barely controlled mania by Crispin Glover--Back to the Future, River's Edge). Howdy and Maureen decide they want to see their long since departed mother, and forgive her for leaving what was essentially a loony bin. This desire is promulgated by Daddy's sudden infatuation with a southern belle who stars on a religious show pitched at kids--a woman who threatens to put clamps on the family's outrageous behavior. Typical of the humor is Daddy's deadpan response to his adult childrens' announcement that they're leaving to find their mother: "She died years ago. I know I didn't tell you, but I thought you knew." This quirky, offbeat film is recommended. (R. Pitman) [DVD Review--Jan. 26, 2004--Artisan, 93 min., PG-13, $29.95--Making its debut on DVD, 1990's Twister sports a disappointing full screen transfer (Artisan, stop the insanity, already) that is--to add insult to injury--often dark and soft. In addition, the Dolby Digital stereo sound is overdriven (you'll be turning down your volume asap). Oh yeah, and this is extra-less. Bottom line: quirky film, shoddy DVD.]