Curly Sue/House Party 2/The Butcher's Wife/The Rolling Stones at the Max/La Belle Noiseuse

Roger Ebert - Host: Our first movie is named "Curly Sue", and this is a cornball exercise in sentimental manipulation, but I don't care, because it worked.

Gene Siskel - Host: [incredulously] What?

Roger Ebert - Host: [holds up right hand] Sometimes, even when you think you know all the tricks, a movie will sneak up on you anyway, and at some point during "Curly Sue", I honestly started really caring about these characters, maybe because the performances were so warm and convincing.

[...]

Roger Ebert - Host: "Curly Sue" was written and produced by John Hughes, who writes and/or produces about four movies per year, but this is the first film he has directed in two years, and I think it ranks with his best work, like "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles". Yes, it's a simple and predictable story, but plot twists are not what this movie is about anyway. It's a heartwarming fantasy with a lot of warmth and a lot of humor, and to my surprise, I found myself caring about the characters and really getting involved in their story.

[to Gene]

Roger Ebert - Host: And by the... rude and annoying off-screen noises that you've been emitting, I take it that you do not agree.

Gene Siskel - Host: Uh, I, I'm... floored, because I really have... uh, at least enough respect for you to...

Roger Ebert - Host: Well remember, you're the guy who liked the John Hughes movie about the two people trapped in the grocery store that even HE didn't want to have released, so... you've got a great track record.

Gene Siskel - Host: "Career Opportunities". I'll take "Career Opportunities" over this picture anytime. My problem was, uh, that I didn't like the little girl, I thought she was unctuous, uh, there was NO chemistry whatsoever between Belushi and Kelly Lynch, and you could...

Roger Ebert - Host: Terrific chemistry!

Gene Siskel - Host: Wait a second...

Roger Ebert - Host: You mean that piano solo? Come on.

Gene Siskel - Host: Let me tell you something. You can tell that even director Hughes knew that there wasn't chemistry, because on their concluding kiss, he shoots it from the back of his head. He realizes that if you see these two people in profile, that they don't even work together. I wanted to enjoy this picture, and I was surprised that John Hughes, who can do good work, and "Plane"- to compare this to "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles"? Ridiculous. I don't even think you REALLY believe that.

Roger Ebert - Host: I really DO believe that. Yes, I really do. And to give a thumbs up to "Career Opportunities" and then make that statement...

Gene Siskel - Host: Yeah.

Roger Ebert - Host: ...Really undermines your position.

Gene Siskel - Host: We're reviewing- we're reviewing "Curly Sue".