Beautiful Girls MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -2

Willie Conway (Timothy Hutton), who plays piano in bars, returns home for his high school reunion and visits with his old friends. Tommy (Matt Dillon), a former high school leader, now drives a snow plow for a living with his partner Kevin (Max Perlich). Paul (Michael Rappaport), also plows snow and lives with Tommy. Paul fantasizes about "supermodels" and even names his dog, Elle MacPherson. But he can't take rejection when his girlfriend dates another man. All the guys have girl trouble except Mo (Noah Emmerich) whos happily married. Willie can't commit to his attractive lawyer girlfriend. Tommy can't decide about his current girlfriend while having an affair with his married high school girlfriend. When Andera (Uma Thuman), a classmate's cousin arrives, all the guys find her an attractive change. But Andera helps set them straight about women. An entertaining movie about warm friendships and relationships in a cold climate.

Along with the male bonding over beers, the group seems to gather at a bar owned by a classmate for heavier drinking. But everyone seems to know when to quit as drunkeness is never a factor. Tommy carries on an adulterous affair but only Kevin reminds him that she's married. When her husband and four friends beat Tommy, the guys go for revenge. The beating is fairly graphic and the violence includes head butts and rib kicks. As they drive, Willie points out Tommy's wrong but the others don't feel the beating was justified. Mo's revenge is halted by a little girl, making him think about his own family. Willie is drawn to the intelligent and articulate 13-year old girl next door. Both enjoy their conversations but realize their age difference make a relationship impossible. Sex is implied once as Tommy's girlfriend, seen in her underwear, dresses afterward. Numerous references to sex occur along with extensive foul language. The cast ensemble works well together but this high school reunion needs to grow up.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Miramax Films, 18 E. 48th St, NY, NY 10017