Hurlyburly

It's always fashionable to take a stab at the shallow white underbelly of Tinseltowners, but Hurlyburly--which barely saw the light of day in theatrical release--offers far more than cheap-shot industry-bashing. Adapted by David Rabe from his play, it's the story of a second-tier Hollywood player named Eddie (Sean Penn) who finds himself disintegrating as he tries to make connections in a town that's all about making deals. Penn brings his edge-of-control intensity to one of the best-written characters of the year, and he's in fine company with a cast that includes Chazz Palminteri, Kevin Spacey, Anna Paquin and a nearly-unrecognizable Meg Ryan. Rabe gives his dialogue the snap of exchanged gunfire, and though Hurlyburly always feels like a stage adaptation with its focus on character conversation, it never feels static. And while the film is dark, and full of unhappy people who spend most of their time swearing, snorting or debasing other unhappy people, there are also strangely touching friendships, unexpected moments of raw emotion, and the hope that a lost soul can remember how to care. Those who look at Hurlyburly and see just another nihilistic stroll down Hollywood Boulevard just aren't looking closely enough. That shallow white underbelly has rarely run this deep. Highly recommended. (S. Renshaw)