Prince of Central Park

Terrorized by a gangleader and abused by his neglectful foster mother (Cathy Moriarty as yet another blowzy slattern), 12-year-old J.J. (Frankie Nasso) flees the Staten Island projects for Manhattan to find his long-lost birth mother, eventually taking up residence in Central Park, where the troll-like "Guardian" (Harvey Keitel outfitted in billy-goat beard and bushy eyebrows) takes the boy under his wing. Danny Aiello and Kathleen Turner star as an estranged couple who take a paternal interest in the lost boy, but who first must come to terms with the tragic death of their own son. It's hard to gauge who the audience is for this urban drama featuring an unwieldy mix of grit and stylized fantasy. Fans of the musical play upon which this is based will be confounded by the absence of the songs (it has been adapted as a straight drama). Whatever fans Turner had left after Baby Geniuses will cringe at her obvious and overwrought performance, though Aiello is his usual solid self. Of course, after his naked performances in The Piano, Bad Lieutenant, and Holy Smoke, nothing Harvey Keitel does comes as a surprise. Not recommended. (K. Lee Benson)