Although "Scenes From A Mall" has a poor reputation, I like it. Let me put it this way: in an era where some of the major new releases were - as seen here - Predator 2, Rocky V and yes, even Godfather III, it is nice once in a while to see a film that dares to takes some risks: namely, to play in "real time", to have really only two main characters, and to contain more talk than plot. Woody Allen and Bette Midler achieve - and sustain - a beautiful give-and-take rhythm; if a sequel had been made about their anniversary party, I'd watch it for sure (I'd love to meet Sheila). The movie is effective as a snapshot of a specific time and place - but it also has a selection of great old-time songs. And there are some neat little details in it that you may not even catch in the first viewing, like for example a screening of "Salaam, Bombay" attended only by two Indians (the Americans are assumed to have gone to one of the numericals), or a girl-girl couple dancing together in the penultimate scene and nobody making a fuss about it. Not a great movie, but much better than its reputation. *** out of 4.
Review of Scenes from a Mall
