Intermission: Demme's remake of 'Charade' worthy of respect

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Jim Wunderle is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.|ret||ret||tab|

Not only is it hard to do a remake of a classic film, the task gets even trickier when cinematic icons are involved. |ret||ret||tab|

In the case of Jonathan Demme's "The Truth About Charlie," the director was not only tackling a reworking of an avowed classic "Charade" but was also replacing Audrey Hepburn, one of the most revered actresses to grace the silver screen, with a relative unknown. And let's not forget the male lead in "Charade" was Cary Grant, himself a legend and a much-loved movie idol. |ret||ret||tab|

The actress in question, Thandie Newton, exhibits much of the same grace and fragile beauty that Hepburn infused into her roles, and she never gives the slightest inclination she's afraid of any comparisons. |ret||ret||tab|

Hats off to Newton, who has been underused since her breakout role as the slave/mistress of Thomas Jefferson in "Jefferson in Paris." |ret||ret||tab|

She is not only a radiant screen presence but a gifted actress. And her fearless portrayal in this chancy remake certainly serves to prove her mettle.|ret||ret||tab|

Students and fans of the original may be somewhat bored as the outcome is a foregone conclusion for anyone who has seen "Charade," but there are a few differences. Demme's fast-paced action keeps things interesting throughout, even if we know who's who and what's what. |ret||ret||tab|

Although the original was directed by Stanley Donen, the story is in the classic Alfred Hitchcock tradition of "wrong person, wrong place, wrong time," and Demme manages to update the premise seamlessly to the post-Tarantino world of glossy, hard-boiled action films. |ret||ret||tab|

Demme's most famous work is "The Silence of the Lambs," but he has done other amazing films in a wide range of styles. His music documentary of The Talking Heads, "Stop Making Sense," ranks with Martin Scorsese's "The Last Waltz" as an epitome of the genre. |ret||ret||tab|

His other movies, such as "Something Wild," "Married to the Mob" and "Swimming to Cambodia," are wildly diverse, expertly executed pieces of filmmaking. |ret||ret||tab|

If there's anyone with the pedigree to rework a classic, it's Demme.|ret||ret||tab|

Newton revives Hepburn's role as Regina Lambert, the recently married wife of Charles Lambert, an art dealer living in Paris. |ret||ret||tab|

Upon returning home from a solo vacation, Regina Lambert discovers not only that her husband is missing, but everything in their apartment is gone.|ret||ret||tab|

One of the first folks on the scene to offer a helping hand is Joshua Peters, played by Mark Wahlberg in the Cary Grant role. |ret||ret||tab|

One thing about "Charade" is the fact that its title serves it nicely. Hardly anyone is who or what they seem. Peters, at first on the side of the "good guys," might actually be working with a gang of outlaws bent on getting back a great deal of money Charles Lambert has apparently made off with. |ret||ret||tab|

And Mr. Bartholomew (Tim Robbins) at first appears to be working for the American embassy in Paris, but may not be after all. |ret||ret||tab|

This relatively minor role is also one of great renown, originated by Walter Matthau and delivered at his wry best. Robbins is always good, but I kept seeing Matthau here, even more than recalling Hepburn in the lead.|ret||ret||tab|

At the tangled heart of all of this chaos, with more on the horizon, is Regina Lambert. She doesn't know what to believe or who to trust. |ret||ret||tab|

When the French police, various other authorities and an unending parade of thugs get involved, her situation gets more complicated. Newton, like Hepburn in the original, takes it all in stride, if somewhat confused stride.|ret||ret||tab|

Fans of "Charade" will no doubt remember the twist as to where the fortune is hiding (in plain sight) and Demme stays true to the script in that regard, as well as many others. |ret||ret||tab|

The ending here is slightly different, and I have to say I prefer the Hepburn/Grant version without a doubt. |ret||ret||tab|

While "The Truth About Charlie" probably won't go down as the classic that "Charade" has become, it's certainly worth watching.|ret||ret||tab|

Demme deserves credit for his vision and skill in updating a film that many consider untouchable. |ret||ret||tab|

But it is Newton who warrants the utmost respect for having the sheer gumption to take on a role so inextricably entwined with a screen idol of Hepburn's caliber. |ret||ret||tab|

She does a fine, fine job, and now, after great performances in "Flirting," Demme's "Beloved," Bernardo Bertolucci's "Besieged" and even "Mission Impossible II," let's hope she will start to get not only the roles but the credit she deserves. |ret||ret||tab|

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