Across the Moon

A Hemdale release of a Robert Mickelson production in association with Airstream Films (L.A.). Produced by Robert Mickelson. Directed by Lisa Gottlieb. Screenplay, Stephen Schneck.

Carmen ... Elizabeth Pena
Kathy ... Christina Applegate
Ritchie ... Tony Fields
Lyle ... Peter Berg
Paco ... Michael Aniel Mundra
Rattlesnake Jim ... James Remar
Frank ... Michael McKean
Barney ... Burgess Meredith
Old Cowboy ... Jack Nance
Lawyer ... Richard Portnoy

This peripatetic tale of women on the road doesn't quite live up to its freewheeling indie promise, but it serves as a long-awaited star vehicle for the varied talents of Elizabeth Pena.

Pena and Christina Applegate topline as barrio-bred Carmen and Beverly Hills deb Kathy, who have nothing in common except their men, Ritchie and Lyle (Tony Fields and Peter Berg), the lamest crooks in San Jose, Calif. When the lads' latest scam goes sour, they're sent to a correctional facility deep in the Mojave Desert. Despite their chalk-and-queso backgrounds, the women, plus Carmen's young son, Paco (impressive newcomer Michael Aniel Mundra), decide to pitch in together and head south -- in a photogenic red convertible, natch.

The end of the dusty road is rougher than expected, but they soon convert an abandoned trailer into something like home. Personality conflicts persist, though, and Carmen hooks up with a local hunk called Rattlesnake Jim (James Remar) while Kathy meets increasing resistance from the prison system in her attempts to be with Lyle. Meanwhile, little Paco skips school to hang with Frank (Michael McKean), a hard-luck wild-animal wrangler waiting for tinseltown to call. Burgess Meredith shows up briefly as an extra-crotchety prospector, and David Lynch regular Jack Nance, as an ornery cattle rancher, adds to the collection of odd small-town characters.

Helmer Lisa Gottlieb (who grabbed an Oscar for her short "Murder in the Mist") tries hard -- too hard -- for a quirky, "Bagdad Cafe"-style mix of harsh facts and magic realism. The results are mildly engaging. Biggest problem is Stephen Schneck's script, which centers on femme chemistry, then fails to give leads anything interesting to say to each other. Most of what Carmen and Kathy do and talk about is connected with the menfolk in their life, draining the pic of gals-on-their-own audaciousness.

Though likable enough, Applegate seems to be too-consciously playing against her "Married ... With Children" rep, and her part lacks memorable edge. Songs from Exene Cervenka also fail to generate expected energy.

What "Moon" does boast, besides color-rich lensing from "Reservoir Dogs" cinematographer Andrzej Sekula, is a very sexy perf from Pena, who is more than ready to break out of the nice best friend/tough-talking secretary ghetto. Her scenes with Remar -- particularly one in a high-desert hot tub -- will get tongues wagging, and vidbiz is assured down the line. Theatrical B.O. may be slight, but the pic serves timely notice to Hollywood to take Pena seriously as a leading lady.

Camera (color), Andrzej Sekula; editor, Daniel Loewenthal; music, Christopher Tyng, Exene Cervenka; production design, Ivo Cristante; art direction, Ken Larson; costume design, Giovanna Ottobre Melton; sound, William Fiege; casting, Cathy Henderson Blake, Tom McSweeny. Reviewed at Vancouver Film Festival (non-competing), Oct. 1, 1994. Running time: 100 MIN.

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