The latest Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's All My Sons opened last night! It stars John Lithgow and Patrick Wilson, who some are saying are quite good, Oscar winner Dianne Wiest, maybe a bit off, and some girl named Katie Holmes. As she's a newcomer to the Broadway scene, and is apparently married to some sort of mega moviestar turned Scientologist crazy named "Tom Cruise," let's take a moment to at look the top critics' takes on this exciting new starlet's big bow. Ben Brantley of the New York Times seems to think she's trying just a bit too hard:
And while Ann is supposed to arrive at the Keller household with high hopes and good intentions, Ms. Holmes delivers most of her lines with meaningful asperity, italicizing every word. This Ann is straight from the school of the Erinyes (those avenging furies from Greek mythology), and I didn’t believe for a second that she really loved the honorable, naïve Chris.
Clive Barnes over at the Post doesn't have much to say, other than describing her as "coltish" and "looking tough under a glossy wig." Hm. Wigs are always fun! The Daily News' Joe Dziemianowicz is a little more positive:
Holmes, a TV and film vet, makes a fine Broadway debut. Her rather grand speech pattern takes getting used to, but she seems comfortable and adds a fitting glint of glamour. Dancing with Lithgow, kissing Wilson, she makes you forget about her being Mrs. Tom Cruise. At times, however, Holmes is strangely shrill.
Yes, "strangely shrill" sounds about right. And finally Melissa Rose Bernardo of Entertainment Weekly thinks she's just OK:
After a painfully awkward first scene, she relaxes a bit; she's at her best opposite Wilson, who's terrifically cast as Sons' moral compass.
So good notes for the boys, some pluses for Dianne Wiest, and mostly "meh"s for Mrs. Cruise. Well, at least it wasn't a complete disaster. [Photo: Sarah Krulwich for the 'New York Times']