Those who know me only casually see a businessman, or a college professor, or an Epinionator, or a retired Navy submariner. Those who know me well see a closet romantic. The Only Thrill plays to the inner me.

The Story

It is the early 1960s and the initial setting is small town America. Reece Fitzsimmons owns the local used-clothing store. Reece loves his life and his wife - whom we never see on screen. Is she the only love in his life?

A new arrival, out of work seamstress Carol Fitzsimmons, soon insinuates herself into Reece's work. Not long after, she manages to penetrate his heart as well. Is she the only love in his life?

Their relationships [Yes, relationships - plural!] span thirty years. Through the camera's lens, you can share in three decades of children, disappointment, friends, fulfillment, heartbreak, joy, smiles, tears, and "Thrills".

This film's strength is like that of a fine hemp hawser. It is not in the strength of any individual thread - but in the strength of many intertwined strands. As it is with life itself, the destination is of much less importance than the journey.

Those of you with heart - as well as head - will learn much in the passage.

The Cast & Crew

Diane Keaton - Carol Fitzsimmons
I am not certain if Diane was made to play the role of Carol or whether the role was written for Diane. In either case, it is a masterful pairing. Diane made The Only Thrill after her turn as Annie Paradis in 1996's The First Wives Club and prior to 1999's The Other Sister. In my view, Carol Fitzsimmons is one of her finest portrayals. Keaton imbues Carol with all the humanity a celluloid character can sustain. [Contrast her first entrance to Reece's clothing store and her exit from the hotel in a late scene. That is the range of a fine actress!]

Sam Shepard - Reece McHenry
I knew of Sam from a western perspective having enjoyed his dual roles in 1999's Purgatory and his 1995 tour de force as Corporal Pea Eye Parker in Streets of Laredo. He gives us a Reece that is nothing at all like any of those. His Reece is confident - yet confused; loving- but distant; adventuresome - and stilted. This is, perhaps, one of Sam's most multi-dimensional roles.

Diane Lane - Katherine Fitzsimmons
[Disclaimer: I am totally enamored of Diane Lane - so my objectivity may be somewhat suspect!] Diane gives Katherine just the right mix of abandon and paralysis. She sometimes pushes the emotional envelope until it splits. At other times she is an emotive cripple trapped in a brace of her own making. Diane brings a touch of her feisty Nina Chance from Murder at 1600 to her portrayal of Katherine. We also get a foretaste of the softer-sided Pearl Kantrowitz that we will see in 1999's Walk on the Moon. [In fact, perhaps all three of these films were the breeding ground for her stellar performance in Under the Tuscan Sun.]

Robert Patrick - Tom McHenry
I only knew of Robert Patrick from Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle and his performance in that 2003 joust and jiggle flick did little for me. The role of Tom McHenry does not have much meat on its bones but Robert carries it off well. [Some of his scenes seemed somewhat "wooden" yet they may well have been written that way.] I never found him believable as a love interest for Katherine. [Or was that just wishful thinking on my part?]

Sharon Lawrence has a nice turn as the tormented Joleen Quillet. I did find her pairing with Brad Leland's Louis Quillet less than believable. But I suppose small town living forces us to make what personal accommodations we can. Both actors did an adequate job with very limited roles.

The Production

This is a thought-provoking film. There are no dynamite special effects in The Only Thrill. All the action is encased in mind games or tied up with heart strings. Director, Peter Masterson, did a superb job of getting the message across without resorting to pulling technology rabbits from a hat.

The Only Thrill is a very satisfying 103 minutes. When I encounter those days when my emotional priorities are confused - I'll watch it again!

Write On!

© Gungian 2004


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good Date Movie
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older