MADE-UP
Challenges Beauty and Aging

It takes a lot of work to keep in shape as you grow older—especially if you’re a woman. Consider all that dieting, exercising, hair coloring, wardrobe selecting, and cosmetic applying. But does any of this make you a better person? MADE-UP, a coming-of-middle-age comedy directed by Tony Shalhoub, explores this topic with spirited humor and poignant sensitivity.

Using a mockumentary style similar to Christopher Guest’s wonderful WAITING FOR GUFFMAN and BEST IN SHOW, Shalhoub (TV’s MONK) makes an impressive directorial debut with this film adaptation of TWO FACED, a play written by his sister-in-law Lynne Adams. Adams also wrote the screenplay, served as producer, and portrays one of the film’s main characters – a woman who persuades her sister to be the subject of a documentary she’s filming.

In this hilarious movie, a teenage wannabe cosmetologist (played with delightful enthusiasm by Eva Amurri, Susan Sarandon’s daughter) does an elaborate make-over on her mother Elizabeth (Brooke Adams) The complicated “beautifying” process includes a tape-on facelift, eye tucks, and a wig. Elizabeth’s sister (Lynne Adams) documents the transformation for a video class she’s taking. When Elizabeth, who’s husband (Gary Sinise) left her for a younger woman, meets a new guy (Shalhoub), she can’t be sure who he’s falling for, especially since he thinks she’s two different women – his glamorous date and her plain, older sister. One of the funniest scenes I’ve seen in years shows Elizabeth’s facelift tapes coming apart during a supposedly romantic dinner.

MADE-UP is truly a family labor of love. Sisters in real life, Brooke (DAYS OF HEAVEN) and Lynne Adams appear comfortable in their movie sibling roles. And Brooke and Shalhoub, who are husband and wife in real-life, make an intriguing on-screen couple. They play off each other well in both dramatic and comic situations. Shalhoub projects an endearing befuddlement over his character's relationship with an unusual woman, and Brooke reminds me of the great Lucille Ball, particularly in a sidesplitting sequence where Elizabeth gets a bit tipsy to "loosen up" before filming begins.   

Why did Shalhoub, noted for his versatile acting talent, decide to direct this movie? “I was afraid I’d lose a few limbs if I didn’t,” he joked after the Taos Talking Picture Festival screening. Involved with his sister-in-law’s play from the very beginning, Shalhoub helped produce the Los Angeles production -- which starred Lynne and was directed by Brooke. 

Not related in any way to Shalhoub or his family, the youths playing MADE-UP’s video crew add more than a few amusing moments as their characters try to make sense out of what’s going on with the reluctant documentary subject. Lance Krall, Jim Issa, and Kalen Conover are members of an Atlanta comedy improv group who make excellent use of their comic skills here.  

Because of its entertaining and thoughtful treatment of issues relating to beauty, aging, and family, I’m not surprised at the film festival honors already earned by MADE-UP. The Santa Barbara Festival voted it Best Independent Feature; it won an Audience Award as Best First Time Film at the SXSW Festival in Texas; and Shalhoub received a director’s Land Grant Award nomination from the Taos Talking Picture Festival. Bravo!

(Released by Sister Films; not yet rated by MPAA.)