TIME EUROPE
December 4, 2000, Vol. 156 No. 23
Fallen Angels
The stars try to soar, but the plot clips their wings
By RICHARD SCHICKEL
What Charlie's Angels has going for it is a good joke about bikini waxing, another about blueberry muffins as lethal weapons, and a third about the difficulties of finding viable male companionship in Los Angeles. You would think any movie employing 17 writers (according to the Los Angeles Times) would have, let's say, 14 more funny lines — one per desperate scrivener.
Charlie's Angels also offers us cute, peppy Cameron Diaz as the most adorable of the Angels, Drew Barrymore as the most vulnerable of them (she seems actually to be acting now and then, which is probably a mistake in this context) and Lucy Liu as the most ferocious, albeit in an interesting, crabby way. Under the guidance of a music-video director who is known simply as McG, they all manage to not quite fall out of their costumes numerous times.
But that's about it for suspense. Mostly, this movie is a succession of knock-offs. Of the old TV show, naturally, but also of the lesser James Bond entries, of The Matrix's visual effects in the fight scenes and of the penetration of a technologically well-defended vault, à la the first Mission: Impossible.
The plot — something about computer geeks double-crossing one another — is of no consequence. The film is essentially about displaying the Angels in ways that are titillating to adolescent males, yet give their dates the impression that something inspiring is being said about female empowerment. It is, on both counts, just a tease. The best you can say for this version of Charlie's Angels is that it retains a sort of chipper, eerie good nature as it wastes the studio's money and our time.
This edition's table of contents
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COVER STORY
Bush's Contested Lead
Now it goes to the courts as Gore challenges Sunday night's Florida tally
Heart Murmurs
Dick Cheney's brief but sudden hospitalization raises questions about fitness and truthfulness
Just How Bad Was It?
TIME's Christine Gorman on the vice-presidential candidate's diagnosis
Mob Scene In Miami
We look at the players behind the 'spontaneous' protest that preceded the shutdown of Miami-Dade's recount
Two-Headed Senate
With a potential Democratic victory in Washington State, the likelihood of gridlock and bickering looms large
EUROPE
Ready, Aim ... React
What can a Rapid Reaction Force from 14 E.U. countries do that NATO can't? Not much
In a Legend's Steps
Shackleton's brave Antarctic trip still awes the world. On his trail are three Britons
MIDDLE EAST
Into the War Zone
Palestinians are now directly attacking Israeli settlements. It's a new - and dangerous - tactic
THE ARTS
Full-Screen Press
French television program Arrêt sur Images entertains audiences by taking the media to task
Pictures From An Exhibitionist
Elton John has put together a big, brainy collection. Now Atlanta, his adopted city, is showing it off
The Vulnerable Woman
Jessica Lange tackles O'Neill's Long Day's Journey and shows she is more than just a great ape's date
Some More Good Men
The plot's predictable, the characters are clichés. Yet this naval drama sails through with flying colors
Fallen Angels
The stars of 'Charlie's Angels' try to soar, but the plot clips their wings
DEPARTMENTS
Techwatch
Worldwatch
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