Turning (1992)
With his All-American good looks, Cliff (Michael Dolan) has had easy access to the sorts of groups that appealed to him as he traveled around the U.S., mostly Klan and neo-Nazi organizations. He is bitter about his childhood, during which his parents bickered constantly. Now, at 22, he has come back to Pocohantas, Virginia to try and make some peace with his past, if he can, and is disturbed to find that his parents are just finalizing their divorce. His mother (Tess Harper) is taking it
particularly badly, having sunk into an alcoholic stupor, and his father (Raymond J. Barry) is getting it on with a new girlfriend (Karen Allen). While steeling himself for a confrontation with his parents, the scary-attractive lad spends some time catching up on things with his old girlfriend (Gillian Anderson). Then, just when one might have expected some long-awaited violence to take place, this slow-paced and almost universally unpopular film unveils a surprise ending. Based on a stage play by Chris Ceraso, the film's highlight seems to be Gillian Anderson's brief appearance. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
