Waiting for Michelangelo

 ((CANADIAN-SWISS))

By DAVID STRATTON

A Snow Line Pictures (Zurich and Toronto) production, with the participation of Swiss TV. Produced by Margrit Ritzmann. Executive producer, Mark J. Wintsch. Co-producers, John R. Bradshaw, Deanne Judson. Directed by Curt Truninger. Screenplay, Ritzmann, Truninger.
 
Kelly Hildon ... Renee Coleman
Thomas Schumacher ... Roy Dupuis
Jonathan ... Rick Roberts
Peter ... Jeremy Chance
Austin Hildon ... Michael Adam
Evelyn ... Ruth Marshall
 

If nothing else, this romantic piece of fluff is a great showcase for Canadian actress Renee Coleman, who gives a thoroughly charming perf in a Meg Ryan-type role as a Toronto TV journalist looking for Mr. Right. Swiss director Curt Truninger's debut feature is a mildly amiable confection that's visually pleasing and looks far more expensive than its $ 1.4 million budget would suggest. But this feel-good date movie would have benefited from a tarter, wittier screenplay.

Coleman plays the foxy Kelly Hilton, a divorcee who looks too young to have a son as old as Austin (Michael Adam). She and g.f. Evelyn (Ruth Marshall, also fun to have around) are both on the lookout for likely males, with Michelangelo's statue of David repping their ideal.

Kelly thinks she has hit pay dirt when she jets to Lucerne to interview a clutch of Europe's most eligible bachelors and meets the smoothly charming Thomas (Roy Dupuis), a gallery owner with money as well as looks and charm. He follows her back to Canada and they have a passionate affair, but he abruptly returns home.

She retaliates by taking up with a lanky writer, Jonathan (Rick Roberts), and things go well until Thomas unexpectedly returns, eager to resume the relationship. So Kelly has two very eligible males on her hands, an embarrassment of riches that leaves her totally indecisive.

It's not an especially original idea for a film, but Truninger nearly brings it off thanks to a fine cast and sleek production values. A script doctor might have injected a bit more depth and humor into the mix, however.

Camera (color), Larry Lynn; editor, Jeff Warren; music, Eric Robertson, Claude Desjardina; production design, Hasna Stefanovic; sound (Ultra Stereo), Dan Daniels; assistant director, John R. Bradshaw; casting, Anne Sketchley. Reviewed at Cannes Film Festival (market), May 24, 1995. Running time: 93 MIN.