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.