Cousin Bette . Tucson Weekly . 08-31-98

Cousin Bette

DIRECTED BY: Des McAnuff

REVIEWED: 08-31-98

Pre-20th-century period pieces can be frightening propositions: boring, slow-paced films about weak aristocratic women who faint at the mention of Heathcliff. Don't let that too-often-true generalization keep you from Cousin Bette, though. It's kind of like Terminator set in mid-19th-century France, as Bette (Jessica Lange) methodically plans the demise of those around her. Her family degrades her and consistently contributes to her rather skewed sense of self, but rather than throwing herself into a river she devises a plan of revenge that would make Alexis Colby proud. Bette's especially refreshing in that she doesn't need to use sex to get what she wants; she uses other people and their desires to achieve her goals instead. Elisabeth Shue and her bare ass co-star as her confidants and key elements in her schemes and provide moments of cheeky (sorry) humor. Really, the only offense in the whole film is a multitude of bad hair. So set your VCR to tape Melrose Place this week, and go to the Loft for two hours of backstabbing melodrama and sweet sisterly justice.

--Higgins

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