Blue Sky MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: -2

Major Hank Marshall (Tommy Lee Jones), a nuclear scientist for the U.S. Army, has his hands full. It's the early sixties and the cold war is in full swing. He's working on a top secret nuclear testing project named "Blue Sky." Hank idolizes his whimsical, fun-loving wife, Carly (Jessica Lange), whose unconventional behavior sometimes gets out of hand. Her hopes for a Hollywood career ended when she married Hank, but her need to be "on stage" didn't. When they are transferred from the plush post of Hawaii to Alabama, Carly becomes extremely upset over their less than elegant base housing. Hank's boss, Col. Johnson (Powers Booth), decides to take advantage of Carly's flirtatious behavior, and sends Hank to Nevada for a nuclear test. Hank discovers hanky-pank in the nuclear testing project and on the homefront. When Carly's world begins to fall apart, she takes the bull by the horns in a dramatic effort to save her marriage. BLUE SKY is an interesting character study of a patient and very loving man and his equally devoted but emotionally fragile wife.

Carly might be described as a nymphomaniac. Her sensual dancing with other men, sunbathing topless as the helicopters fly overhead, and constant need for physical contact is almost pathetic. Hank only interferes when her behavior goes beyond certain limits. In a way, he is proud of her sensual flirtations and even admits he enjoys other men looking at his wife. Everyone but Hank, including their daughters, knows that Carly desperately needs help. Being the strong military leader, he refuses to admit his wife is more than he can handle. Hank and Carly are shown having sex once without nudity and there is obscured sex between her and the Colonel once. The government is portrayed as overly zealous in its efforts to stay ahead of Russia in the nuclear arms race by risking civilian lives. During a nuclear test some civilians are caught in the explosion. The only other violence occurs when Carly is pushed through a glass window when she intervenes in a fight between Hank and the Colonel. Although the frequent sexually suggestive behavior is not gratuitous, this PG-13 film is not appropriate for children, and its frequent obscenities and profanities further mar its enjoyment for all.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Orion Pictures Corp., 1325 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10019