Let's Kill All the Lawyers

(Comedy--Color)

A Lighten Up Films Inc. presentation of a Dakota Jas Production. Produced by Shannon Hamed. Executive producers: Hamed, Ron Senkowski, James A Courtney and Brian C. Manoogian. Written and directed by Ron Senkowski.

Foster Markul - Rick Frederick
Junior Rawley - James Vezina
Satori Bunko - Michelle DeVuono
Pops - Lee Gusta
Larissa - Cheryl Roy
Penelope - Joanne Long
Crazy Mikey - Ron Senkowski

Novice writer-director Ron Senkowski offers some mildly amusing evidence that he's good for a few laughs in "Let's Kill All the Lawyers." Small-budget Michigan-filmed effort won't generate much B.O. coin, but may find a few advocates on homevideo and cable.

Pic works best as a series of satirical comic blackouts. The gimmick is a radical group called the Abe Lincoln Abductors is kidnapping dozens of lawyers throughout a large city. Each attorney has a few moments to demonstrate just how greedy, double-dealing or otherwise sleazy he or she is before the kidnappers bag their latest victim. All that's missing at the end of each segment is the sound of a rim shot.

Trouble is, the weak plot that unites the blackouts is not half so funny. Rick Frederick plays a likable young law student who's shocked--shocked--to learn that his mentor, a slick attorney played by Gene Siskel look-alike James Vezina, is corrupt.

Even as his disillusionment grows, Frederick is increasingly attracted to Michelle DeVuono, who operates a New Age retreat where lawyers can get in touch with their feelings. Not surprisingly, DeVuono is behind the kidnappings, and has rigged a deadly booby trap for those lawyers who refuse to mellow out.

The kidnap-murder scheme is only sketchily developed, and seems only an excuse to link the blackouts. Best running gags have Senkowski playing Crazy Mikey, a wild-eyed attorney whose TV spots advise would-be litigants to "Give your case to Mikey--he'll try anything."

Wit remains pretty much on the sophomoric level. But, then again, sophomores can be very funny sometimes.

Performances are keyed to the pic's cartoonish level. Tech values are modest, but more than adequate. Look for a late-night broadcast of this one on the USA Network real soon.

Camera (color), Lou Stratton; editor, Christa Kindt; music, Martin Liebman; sound, Al Rizzo; costumes, Scarlett Jade; art director, Tom Chaney; associate producers, Shannon Rain Berritt, David Monforton and Tom Tucker. Reviewed at WorldFest/Houston (Texas), April 27, 1992. No MPAA rating. Running time: 95 min.

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