Career Girls (1997)

CAREER GIRLS is Mike Leigh's new movie and, while it runs a good 
hour shorter than last year's SECRETS AND LIES, it's still a wee 
bit of a butt-number.  There *is* a dandy payoff, though, to the 
deceptively slight story of two roomies (Katrin Cartlidge and Lynda 
Steadman) reuniting for the first time in six years.  In between 
extensive, oft-hilarious flashbacks-- to their former selves, a 
pair of all-but-unrecognizable college misfits-- we watch and wait 
(and, at times, endure) as they slowly, awkwardly reestablish their 
bond, until, at the end of that long weekend, they begin reverting 
to their old selves.  It's a wonderful transformation to behold.  
With Kate Byers, Mark Benton, Andy Serkis, and Joe Tucker.  (Rated 
"R"/95 min.)

Grade: B+

Copyright 1997 Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros