The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit

Ray Bradbury adapted his own magical short story, which here stars Joe Mantegna as Gomez, a hustler who recruits three strangers (Esai Morales, Clifton González González and Gregory Sierra) with the same build to pool their money to buy a shimmering white suit. Still $20 short, they reluctantly agree to let a grime-caked clumsy bum (a loquacious departure for the usually stoic and taciturn Edward James Olmos) join the gang. Each agrees to wear the suit for one hour. One by one, the suit transforms their lives and the men become friends. This endearing fantasy cannot, unfortunately, sustain the exhilaration of the animated opening sequence, and the comedy is at times too precious or too broadly played. But what a pleasure it is to see, albeit briefly, Sid Ceasar and Howard Morris from Your Show of Shows reunited as tailors. Though suitable for all audiences, one would think that "Suit" should wear particularly well with Hispanics weary of seeing themselves portrayed on screen as street gang members. Ceasar's character says it best: "Did you ever see a $100 suit make so many people so happy?" Recommended, overall. (K. Lee Benson)