Time Stands Still - Theater Review

The relevance of "Time Stands Still" [Samuel J. Friedman Theater/Broadway/NYC] lies in its new relevance. The problem with alot of new plays is that they are trying to recapture a former nostalgia or perhaps a piece of pathos. While this story of pathos among two New York couples borders at times on melodrama, it is the perpetration of its slick dialogue that stages it up from the diatribe. This fact is undeniably buoyed by the performance of Laura Linney whose great gift is being able to play unlikable people with a dash of hope. Her character is one of a war photographer just returned from the Middle East where a road side bomb had nearly killed her. After being brought home by her long time and slightly askew boyfriend (played with subtle inference by Brian d'Arcy James), she must wade through her emotions and the actions of her editor (Eric Bogosian) and his new younger wife (Alicia Silverstone) compound the situation. The talks border upon the theoreticals of morality and mortality but do so with the effect of humor. The high drama of emotion skirts the edge once or twice between Linney and d'Arcy James but they keep the simmer under control which is also elevated by the script's undeniable humor which is most assuredly controlled by Bogosian who knows his way around a script.Silverstone has the most thankless job but inhabits her character of Mandy with some wry insight and vulnerability. The inherent backlash that some actors of her generation have with certain roles (hers being "Clueless") make it hard to break the mold but her quiet intention here combined with a comedienne style shows respect despite the play's thunder definitively staging to Linney. The key to the play's success beyond anything is due to the actors' subtle timing which makes great use of the exceptional light which wonderfully interplays the progression of a relationship which is truly its metaphor. While the dialogue at times is exceptional, the use of vulgarities (which this reviewer is not against) is not progressive enough in terms of the story and is, at times, overused. Ultimately "Time Stands Still" creates its world because it is of the time and reflective of the current obstacles facing couples and youth. However, the inherent blowback is that in doing so it becomes a function of its age despite its talent. Out of 5, I give it a 2 1/2.