A Master Builder

This flat, modern interpreation of an Ibsen play fails to deliver much interest. The usually fascinating collaborations between Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory have produced My Dinner With Andre and Uncle Vanya on 42nd Street, admirable efforts. But this film is overally theatrical (one is stupiefied by all the chatter) Wallace Shawn's performance is so animated he's nearly bouncing off the walls. However, the supporting players (Larry Pine and Lisa Joyce) do acquit themselves well. The frequent close-ups are mostly distracting and the scripting is tedious. I feel that this effort is DOA and should be covered with a black wreath.