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Postman, TheYou've got to wonder why, after 1995's Waterworld, Hollywood's least likeable leading man was given another $100 million to pursue his dreary love-affair with himself. You know whom to blame for The Postman's grandiose awfulness: Costner stars, directs, co-produces, sings ('You Didn't Have to be So Nice') and gives supporting roles to three members of his own family (son Joe and daughters Lily and Anne). The plot tells of a feudal, post-apocalyptic world in which an attempt to restart the postal system helps human society get back on its feet (with Costner, of course, playing the messianic titular postie, a sort of Man With No Name and a Mailbag). The plans of the Postman and his down-home decent cohorts are threatened, however, by the war-mongering General Bethlehem (Patton), who prefers a more martial form of reconstruction. The source novel by David Brin is infinitely superior, more subtle and compelling in its realisatino of this particular ravaged world. Costner merely opts for a sort of rustic Mad Max, with all the goodies clad in wholesome knitwear. How Tom Petty got involved is anyone's guess. The real question, of course, is why after the drubbing he took for the 134 minute folly Waterworld, Costner felt he needed to spend three hours telling this similarly delusional tale. Ego and wish fulfillment anyone? |
