"Who Shot Pat?," a U.S. indie production opening today at the Monica in Santa Monica, was reviewed by Variety on Feb. 14, 1990, at the Florence Film Festival under its original title, "Who Shot Patakango?" In her review, Deborah Young called pic "a rollicking evocation of the 1950s as lived by teen pals growing up in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant district.
Seen through a nostalgic lens, helmer Robert Brooks' film is a tale well told, distinguished by a lack of self-consciousness rare in such efforts.
"Bic (played by engaging newcomer David Knight) is a natural leader, fun-loving and not afraid of a fight. When the gang visits a beat hangout in Greenwich Village, he makes a play for a sophisticated college girl, Devlin Moran (Sandra Bullock). Devlin responds to his attentions, despite her girlfriends' teasing and a college boyfriend she eventually opts for. Pic takes a light view of the poor boy/rich girl romance."
Film was judged as "lively throughout and almost always believable, thanks to its sense of humor and creditable performances from dozens of young thesps. Period tunes pepper scenes with the rhythm of the times. Professional lensing is a plus."
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Date in print: Mon., Jul. 13, 1992