Living Out Loud MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -3

This hodgepodge romantic comedy stars Holly Hunter as Judith and Danny DeVito as Pat, both divorced and broken-hearted. Judith lives in an upscale New York apartment where Pat is the elevator operator and night watchman. The two begin having friendly conversations on the elevator, and soon are spending many late hours in the building office talking the night away. Judith also becomes friends with Liz Bailey (Queen Latifah), a blues singer in a nightclub on the lower east side. Pat finally confesses he is beginning to fall in love with Judith, but she doesn't share his feelings.

LIVING OUT LOUD has some funny, touching scenes of these two very likable people learning that wallowing in despair and self-pity is destructive. A few musical numbers by Queen Latifah and even a great solo by Danny DeVito add to the enjoyment. Sophisticated young adults may be this film's most responsive audience. Judith tries to overcome her loneliness by hiring a masseuse. The handsome young man immediately disrobes down to his briefs. Judith removes her robe, revealing rear nudity, and he proceeds to massage her body. Sex is implied when she later tells Pat the massage lasted over two hours. Another time, Liz gives Judith some pills for sexual arousal before they go to a lesbian nightclub where women are kissing, dancing suggestively and caressing each other. The drug's effects also cause Judith to jump on Pat in the elevator in a very suggestive embrace. On her first visit to Liz's club, Judith is grabbed by a stranger and kissed passionately, which makes her realize she should start "living" again. She also drinks heavily and one night gets drunk on martinis, and she and Pat frequently share a bottle of wine or scotch. Judith's anger at her ex-husband causes her to lose control and she kicks and hits him when she sees him in court. But her friendship with Pat reveals her basically kind and nurturing side. Foul language includes several crudities, 24 obscenities and 14 profanities. The meat of LIVING OUT LOUD could have made a very clever love story, but all the spices and artificial flavoring ruin, not enhance.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: New Line Cinema, 888 7th Ave., 20th floor, NY, NY 10108