It's just a 'Little' Ving thing; Rhames and Reuben star in 'American' movie for Hallmark

Ving Rhames stars in action-adventure films and Radio Shack commercials. He's played Don King and wants to play Martin Luther King. He co-stars in three upcoming big budget Hollywood films. Right now, however, he is on the phone promoting his appearance in the next "Hallmark Hall of Fame" on CBS. To his credit, he's not even trying to sound excited about it. "I like to expand," is his only response when asked why he took the part of an uncomplicated old farmer in "Little John," the "Hall of Fame" presentation airing at 8 p.m. Sunday (Channel 5). "We had a natural chemistry together," pretty much sums up his memories of working with Gloria Reuben, the former "ER" star who plays his estranged daughter in the movie. Truth is, there's not much to say about "Little John" - it's just another touching, well-acted and beautifully filmed Hallmark gem. In it, Rhames' character drives to L.A. with his grandson John (newcomer Robert Bailey Jr.) and tries to reconcile with Reuben's character, who has become, ironically enough, a judge in family court. The only thing that really stands out about "Little John" is its casting: With the exception of Patty Duke, who has a small supporting role, the actors are all African-Americans. It's the first "Hall of Fame" so distinguished since 1995's "The Piano Lesson," starring Charles S. Dutton and Alfre Woodard. Before that, only "The Marva Collins Story" (1981) featured a mostly black cast. "We just feel that we want to do a balance of things," says "Hall of Fame" executive producer Richard Welsh. "We're also looking for Hispanic stories to tell." There are no racial themes in "Little John." The script doesn't even specify that it's about a black family. But if the movie has nothing to say about race, that's not true of Rhames, though it requires a little prodding. When asked about the color-blind script, Rhames repeats almost verbatim a line he gave Hallmark's publicist that was included in the promotional materials mailed out to the press. "Little John," he says, is "an American story that would appeal to any ethnic group. ... The story is universal. It could happen to any of us." Then he adds, "I mean, in how many movies about Native American Indians have the Native Americans played the roles? Most of the time, they don't. "There have been tons of movies where Caucasians have played the roles not meant for Caucasians. You see the tide changing, slowly but surely." But Rhames does not agree that ethnic faces have become more common on television in recent years. Becoming more animated, Rhames says: "The media, in general, reports negative incidents that happen in the African-American community. That's because they don't live in African-American neighborhoods. ... "You see black youths (in gangs) on 'Cops,' but I don't see a black woman (like Reuben's character) succeeding against all odds. It's not that rare, but to the world it's rare." Then Rhames, who has been reading the works of Martin Luther King in hopes of playing him in an upcoming feature film, begins talking about love and forgiveness - favorite themes of the civil rights leader and crucial themes to "Little John." "I'm looking at a situation in Israel where I never hear the world 'love' mentioned," he says. "If love and forgiveness are not there, that situation could go on for the next hundred years. "Little John" is "almost a metaphor," he says, "it's a child that becomes the important element, because a child represents the future. The future is the most important element for peace." To reach Aaron Barnhart, phone (816) 234-4790 or visit the TV Barn Web site at www.tvbarn.com @ART CAPTION:Ving Rhames and Gloria Reuben star as a farmer and his estranged daughter in "Little John." @ART CAPTION:Director Dick Lowry discusses a scene from "Little John" with Gloria Reuben and Robert Bailey Jr. @ART:Photos (2, color and b/w) @ART CREDIT:ERIK HEINILA
Copyright 2002 Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service The Kansas City Star
May 2, 2002, Thursday
SECTION: ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
KR-ACC-NO: K2451
LENGTH: 1370 words