Scenes From A Mall

The initial attraction of SCENES FROM A MALL is the combination of its two dynamic stars, Bette Midler and Woody Allen, especially Allen, stepping into his first starring role in someone else's movie in over a decade. But the easy rapport between Midler and Allen is just about all this film has going for it.

By the plastic reindeer adorning the roofs of the beach houses, we can tell that it's Christmastime in Beverly Hills. It's also the 16th anniversary of Nick (Allen), a high-powered sports attorney, and Deborah (Midler), a psychotherapist. They've just sent their kids off on a ski weekend, and are busy planning a dinner party celebration for later that even...