HERBERT ROSS

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBB.5

USA/France, 1995.  Alcor Films, Canal+, Hera Productions, New Regency Pictures, Regency Enterprises.  Screenplay by Don Roos.  Cinematography by Donald E. Thorin.  Produced by Arnon Milchan, Steven Reuther, Herbert Ross.  Music by David Newman.  Production Design by Ken Adam.  Costume Design by Gloria Gresham.  Film Editing by Michael R. Miller.

Emotionally manipulative but still enjoyable road movie about three women travelling cross country in search of a place to belong.

When down-and-out lounge singer Whoopi Goldberg sees an ad asking for a travelling companion to a young woman (Mary-Louise Parker) looking to leave New York City for California, she sees it as an opportunity for great change and so takes the job.

Along the way they stop to visit a friend of Parker’s (a wonderful Drew Barrymore) who gets herself into a bit of trouble with the law and so joins them on their adventure.

Don Roos’ script travels some well-worn patterns in this type of chick-bonding movie, but he also discovers a lot of new ground that makes it stand apart from many films of its ilk.

Features a great soundtrack, warmhearted and amiable characters, and an early supporting performance by a young, hunky Matthew McConaughey.  Herbert Ross’s last film as director.