Search

Hi-Life

1998, Movie, R, 100 mins

Hi-Life: Review

HI-LIFE
starstarstarstar
Holiday spirit is measured in shots for the motley collection of Upper West Siders who populate this Christmas trifle, whose snippy New York facade is wrapped around a treacly soft center. Handsome Ray (Campbell Scott) tends bar at the Hi-Life and is still nursing the wounds inflicted by his ex, the shallow but stunning Maggie (Daryl Hannah). That Maggie's brother Jimmy (Eric Stoltz), a selfish aspiring actor, is dating Ray's sister Susan (Moria Kelly) makes the situation that little bit more painful. Susan appears at the bar pleading for $900; Jimmy has told her it's for Maggie -- which, of course, Susan can't tell Ray -- but it's actually Jimmy who needs the money so he can pay off his secret gambling debt to testy bookmaker Fatty (Charles Durning). Fatty, in turn, dumps the job of making sure Jimmy pays on local tough guy Minor (Peter Riegert). Ray, ever loyal, sets off to get the cash for Susan by collecting on the dozens of small loans he's made to various barkeeps, waiters and hostesses at nearby establishments. Tagging along is April (Katrin Cartlidge), a boozy Brit nursing a crush on Ray and sensing an opportunity to cadge free drinks. Lots of things happen, and you know from pretty early in the game that everybody's going to end up at Hi-Life, with the inevitable wacky consequences. The story is just an excuse for the capable cast to riff on their characters, who will be familiar to New Yorkers of a certain age, which isn't the same as saying they're particularly interesting. It's especially dispiriting to see the incandescent Cartlidge (NAKED) playing Georgy Girl on a bender. But the movie's opening montage, vintage footage of guys in Santa suits engaging in tacky photo ops, is an absolute delight. leave a comment --Maitland McDonagh
Advertisement

Shop

Hi-Life
Buy Hi-Life from Amazon.com
From Lions Gate (DVD)
Average Customer Review: nostarnostarnostarnostarhalfstar
Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy New: $13.49

more Hi-Life products

Advertisement

Related Websites

You might be also interested in the following websites:

Most Popular TV Shows

  1. Dancing with the Stars
  2. The Game
  3. NCIS
  4. American Idol
  5. Wife Swap
more popular tv shows

Most Popular Celebrities

  1. Carrie Prejean
  2. Jennifer Lopez
  3. Susan Boyle
  4. Sammy Sosa
  5. Donald Trump
more popular celebrities

Most Popular Movies

  1. A Christmas Carol
  2. This Is It
  3. Men Who Stare At Goats
  4. The Fourth Kind
  5. Paranormal Activity
more popular movies

Top Videos

  1. Dancing With The Stars
  2. Saturday Night Live
  3. V
  4. Desperate Housewives
  5. NCIS
more top videos