Review of Made-Up

Made-Up (2002)
I'm Ready For My Wide Shot, Mr. DeMille
9 February 2004
The Los Angeles opening of `Made Up' on February 6th garnered a screening with director, star and writer in attendance for a Q & A. The Arclight does this kind of thing well. There was even rumor of a little party after. That made things irresistible, being that it was Tony Shalhoub, Brooke Adams and Lynne Adams who work out to be director-actor-husband, actress-producer-wife, writer-actress-sister-producer. Almost more hyphens than even we can stand. And this is Hollywood.

A festival darling (Santa Barbara, South by Southwest to name a few) is finally in theaters on an independent and limited run. Great reviews on both coasts, in both Times, are furthering the buzz.

Clever and cute, in the vein of `Best of Show,' this mock-umentary is a film about making a film. Turning the mirror on yourself to look inside and check your lipstick. How to age gracefully, get a make over from your rebel grrrrrl daughter, finish the project, get the deal, make the ex-husband jealous and spoil the trophy wife's homeless woman art exhibit, not drink and do cartwheels.

Playing roles that they live each day, Brooke Adams is the actress, Lynne Adams is a film maker and newcomer, kick-in-the-pants, Eva Amurri plays the actress' daughter. Little Eva made her film debut as a sick kid in the hospital in her step-dad's directorial debut, `Bob Roberts.' Let's hope this kid can keep her mojo working and Tony Shalhoub's first at-bat behind the camera will lead to more.

The post film forum revealed one of the director's greatest challenges was to light his leading lady with an un-flattering light. `I mean, just look at this,' meaning Brooke. It got a nice 'ahhhhhh' from the audience. This made up for the evening's intro by an Arclight staffer, who expressed admiration for Mr. Shalhoub's role on TV's `Wings.' `I grew up watching this man.' That got an 'oooohhh' out of the audience. (`What? That was '97?')

A way-cool website will give you step by step instructions on the Tivey Facelift Kit (as seen in the film). Your cost? Seventeen cents!
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