Thornton Wilder's OUR TOWN is as poetic and moving a piece of drama as has ever been wrought. It is as American as Norman Rockwell, Apple Pie and Baseball. This filmed stage play is gently adapted from the Westport Country Playhouse production (later on Broadway) with subtle camera moves and the elimination of the 'act' breaks. It is a wise and gentle approach, capably led by Paul Newman as the iconic Stage Manager. Newman's own interpretation adds some subtle texture. He's dedicated to facts and figgers to the point of consulting a small notebook in order to get 'em right for us. The Webb and Gibbs families are ably portrayed by theatre vets including Jeffrey DeMunn and Jane Curtain. The Pepperidge Farm accents are sometimes are a bit too pronounced. The young actors playing George and Emily, however, are not quite young enough and a tad too theatrical for the camera. They certainly don't erase the memories of previous Georges and Emilys such as Robby Benson, Penelope Ann Miller, Eric Stoltz and yes - Mr. Newman himself. Still, Wilder's town tome on life, love and death is a moving experience - an American Classic to which (to quote another American stage classic) 'attention must be paid'.
