North Shore Fish

The one that got away. A game ensemble cast flounders in this made-for-cable adaptation of Israel Horovitz's play that unfolds during the final days of a failing frozen fish factory. A mannered Mercedes Ruehl stars as tough-talking Florence, with a cast-against-type Tony Danza as her womanizing boss who has gotten her pregnant. Peter Reigert also stars as the salt-of-the-earth custodian who loves her from afar. Like clockwork, the other shallowly-drawn characters banter and bicker, let down their defenses or reveal secrets and lies. The attempted Boston accents are as heavy-handed as the stagebound dialogue. I'm still not sure if Reigert's character is named Porker or "Pahkah." Throw this one back. Not recommended. (K. Lee Benson)