Review: A Place Called Today

J. Herbert Kerr Jr. plays an ambitious young African-American politician who uses underhanded means in his attempt to run for mayor by having a hand in orchestrating civil unrest that he will then promise to end. Cheri Caffaro plays the sex-obsessed daughter of a rich white businessman (who is Kerr’s corrupt mayoral opponent), whilst Lana Wood turns up as a lefty activist. Porn star Harry Reems (of “Deep Throat” infamy) has a bit role fully clothed as a construction worker, sans moustache.

 

Probably well-meaning, but lifeless 1972 social melodrama from writer-director Don Schain (the softcore classic “Ginger”) is barely even a movie at all. 100 minutes of subpar speeches and preaching, it’s a prime example that just because you have something to say, it doesn’t mean you’re the best people equipped to be delivering the message. Naïve, preachy, simplistic, stupid and all talk. It’s a lecture. Even when Lana Wood and her man are naked, they spend more time talking than fornicating.

 

The script really exposes the actors here, with only Ginger herself Cheri Caffaro coming out fairly competent. Caffaro gets the one and only interesting bit of dialogue when she talks about what makes her happy. I won’t spoil it, but it’s certainly something. She’s no Barbara Stanwyck but Caffaro’s the best this film’s got. It’s an appallingly acted film. That’s pretty weird given the cast does have some familiar faces, some people with experience in front of the camera at least (though Caffaro is the only one playing somewhat to type I guess). Lana Wood is porno-bad here. So I’m gonna blame writer-director Schain (Caffaro’s husband I might add) here for the most part. Schain’s flat direction has the actors look directly into the camera while talking to someone, making the whole thing seem like a boring, heavy-handed sermon. This is bottom-of-the-barrel filmmaking, and even when the film finally gives in and becomes exploitation in the final third it’s still not any good. You do get to see Plenty ‘o Lana Wood, but you’ve got Google for that.

 

Nothing to see here, folks. You can have all the good intentions in the world but if you’re not competent in turning those intentions into interesting storytelling, you’ve got 100 minutes of wasted time. Ultra low-budget and dull, it’s an after school special instead of a film.

 

Rating: D

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