Review: The Paris Letter

[LucilleAndLeoFrank]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 6:05pm

I saw The Paris Letter last week, just before it opened, and was greatly dissapointed. The play seemed very lop-sided, and asked a lot of questions that it simply did not answer. I expected much more.

The story revolves around two gay men who were once lovers in their youth. Anton (John Glover) embraced his homosexuality and wears it as a badge of honor, while Sandy (Ron Rifkin) sought treatment to rid himself of his urges. Sandy has since married Katie (Michele Pawk), one of Anton's best friend. He has raised her openly gay son (Daniel Eric Gold) as his own, and took over his father's lucrative Wall Street firm. On the surface, everything seems perfect.

Everything changes, though, when takes Burt (Jason Butler Harner), a young charge in the business, as his lover. He entrusts all of his clients finances to Burt, with disasterous results and later flees the country.

Part of the story is told in flashback, with Gold and Harner playing Young Sandy and Young Anton, respectively. Rifkin plays the eccentric psychiatrist who "cures" Young Sandy of his gayness, and Pawk is especially terrific as Sandy's mother, Lillian.

The acting is great. Rifkin hits all the right notes as Sandy, and Glover is rightly over the top as Anton. He steals the show. Pawk is spectacular in a role that could be considered both Oedipal and Freudian. Harner and Gold both hold their own.

I don't know why I left The Paris Letter so dissatisfied. The show, despite the fine performances, is cold. I really wanted to love it, but I just didn't.

Jim

[mandy2loveRB]

Posted: 6/20/05 at 12:00pm

Thank you for the review...I am seeing it tomorrow night, really looking forward to it, so I will let you know!

Edit: I said "I am seeing it tonight" but actually Tuesday night...too excited to go back to theatre since last time...last Thursday Updated On: 6/20/05 at 12:00 PM

[LucilleAndLeoFrank]

Posted: 6/20/05 at 12:01pm

Thanks! Odd that this thread gets its first post just as I signed on. Hope you enjoy it more than I do.

[mandy2loveRB]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 12:23am

So... I saw. I think it was warmer than the time you saw...it was very good house, and Glover was terrific. He seems so comfortable as a charactor and leading the story very well. Flashback was OK (even though I still think the best "flashback" on stage was the one of "Death of a Salesman" in 1999)

As for performance, I agree with everything you said, LucilleAndLeoFrank, and I especially adore young Anton. I really enjoyed it.

And yet...even though it was "warmer," I also have to agree with you it was kind of disappointing. I am going to think out loud so forgive me if it does not make any sense to you.

I thought one of the reason is that not all performers were "breathing" with the same beat as "a company", especially Rifkin (it is hard to explain). Something was off in the beat of the play, so the story does not flow in the way it's supposed to be and I felt like I stumble over something from time to time. I did like the lighting scheme and Glover nailed that. I did like the performance and I really enjoyed it, but not really satisfying...

I will stop now and consolidate my thoughts and if I can explaing better I will come back. Sorry! And don't get me wrong, it is a good play.

[LucilleAndLeoFrank]

Posted: 6/22/05 at 7:30am

Great review, mandy. I agree with everything you said, especially about Glover. If this were on Broadway, he would be a major Tony contender.