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By Chris Nashawaty
Chris Nashawaty
Chris Nashawaty
Chris Nashawaty is a senior writer for EW, and author of EW.com's DVD Insomniac column

Sure, it's a novelty to see Meryl Streep drop the period garb and studied accents and suit up in Gore-Tex and negotiate Class-5 rapids in The River Wild. But there's at least one aspect of the movie that rings familiar: the leading lady's wimpy, ineffectual leading man (played by David Strathairn). Here's a who's who of some of her others. *Alan Alda Movie: The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979, MCA/ Universal) Character: Crusading liberal New York senator who has affair with civil rights activist. Wimpy Attribute: Wears super-snug suit vests. Telltale Dialogue: ''How many children can this nation afford to let go hungry? If we're not here for these children what are we here for, gentlemen?''

*Roy Scheider Movie: Still of the Night (1982, MGM/UA) Character: Cardigan- and-loafers-wearing shrink involved with possible killer. Wimpy Attributes: Drinks Tab, drives Volvo station wagon. Telltale Dialogue: ''Whatever you're feeling now-guilt, remorse, whatever-it's human, it's understandable, it's something we all share.'' A big bear hug follows.

*Robert De Niro Movie: Falling in Love (1984, Paramount) Character: Married building contractor who has affair with married woman he meets in a bookstore. Wimpy Attribute: Buys gardening book. Telltale Dialogue: ''Hey Ed, tell me the truth. You think I'm good-looking?'' De Niro asks fellow sensitive guy Harvey Keitel at the gym.

*ED Begley Jr. Movie: She-Devil (1989, Orion) Character: Nebbishy suburban accountant who leaves shrewish wife and obnoxious kids for glamorous romance novelist. Wimpy Attribute: Bakes cookies while in prison for embezzlement. Telltale Dialogue: ''Why don't you get some salt and Perrier to remove the stain?''

*Albert Brooks Movie: Defending Your Life (1991, Warner) Character: Dead yuppie who meets perfect woman while kvetching in the afterlife. Wimpy Attribute: Sings along to Barbra Streisand in his car. Telltale Dialogue: ''I don't think I can.... This is already better than any sex I've ever had I don't want to screw it up,'' he says, declining Streep's proposition.


Posted Mar 10, 1995 | Published in issue #265 Mar 10, 1995 | Order Article Reprints