Five Corners *** (1987, Jodie Foster, Tim Robbins, Todd Graff, John Turturro) – Classic Movie Review 11,204

Director Tony Bill’s 1987 crime drama/ thriller Five Corners stars Jodie Foster, Tim Robbins, Todd Graff and John Turturro.

The first filmed screenplay from Oscar-winning John Patrick Shanley is a strange tale of four young American buddies reunited in the Bronx in 1964 as psychotic young Heinz (John Turturro) is freed from prison, causing problems for Linda (Jodie Foster), whom he tried to rape, and the man who protected her.

Unfortunately, Five Corners is uncertainly handled by Tony Bill and unevenly written by Shanley. But many scenes hit home effectively and the characters fascinate, at least as played by these excellent performers.

Good period atmosphere and Bronx charm at the outset give way to the rough edges of melodrama that put off audiences in 1987. A new Eighties-style score by James Newton Howard frustrates everyone who wants a Sixties nostalgia wallow.

Also in the cast are Elizabeth Berridge, Rose Gregorio, John Seitz, Cathryn de Prume, Pierre Epstein, Daniel Jenkins, Kathleen Chalfant, Michael R Howard, Jery Hewitt, Rodney Harvey, and Carl Capotorto.

Shanley won an Oscar for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for Moonstruck (1987) and was a nominee for Best Adapted Screenplay for Doubt (2008). He was born on 3 October 1950 in The Bronx and sets Five Corners in the New York City area in which he grew up.

The producers thanked the the penguins!: ‘Many thanks to the penguins in this film. They were treated most respectfully and no harm ever came to them in their work.’

Five Corners is directed by Tony Bill, runs 92 minutes, is made by Cineplex Odeon Films and HandMade Films, is released by HandMade Films (1987) (UK) and Pathé, is written by John Patrick Shanley, is shot in Technicolor by Fred Murphy, is produced by George Harrison (executive producer), Denis O’Brien (executive producer), Tony Bill, Forrest Murray, John Patrick Shanley (associate producer), is scored by James Newton Howard and is designed by Adrianne Lobel.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,204

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