Pennies From Heaven

Rating:
Summary: A breathtaking adaptation of Dennis Potter's masterpiece.
Review: While the radically shortened film of Potter's British television mini-series necessarily leaves out a great deal--including some of what was most devastating in the original, this adaptation written by Potter and directed by, of all people, Herbert Ross, is a major work, too. It uses the big screen to full advantage, turning the lip-synched numbers into full Busby Berkeley-esque parodies. And none of the original's brilliance or darkness has been lost. Know--this is no light-hearted romp. It's probably the bleakest work of art ever made for TV, and the film's very modest commercial success is undoubtedly a testament to that. But it's really something. You'll never forget Vernel Bagneris's dance to the title number. And both Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters give the performances of their careers. Their eyes will haunt you. END