Arts and Books: The Week in Review

THE FILM

ENTRAPMENT

Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones crank up the sexual tension while plotting grand larceny in Jon Amiel's latest thriller.

"If Entrapment is a warning of blockbusters to come, then we could be in for a deadly summer," revealed Anthony Quinn. "It is like watching a father leering over his daughter's ballet performance," carped The Express, adding: "a sensation which goes some way toward undermining the empathy essential to any love story." "Entrapment is an empty technological exercise, much like the compulsive thieving of its central characters," noted the Daily Mail, while The Guardian grumbled "A long and tiresome caper... we deserved an awful lot more wit from the script and more on-screen chemistry from Sean and Catherine."

If the 40-year age-gap between Zeta-Jones and Connery doesn't fill you with horror, the hackneyed action will.

Entrapment is on general release, certificate 12. 113 minutes

THE PLAY

ROSE

Olympia Dukakis plays the octogenarian Jewish survivor in Martin Sherman's new play, directed by Nancy Meckler.

"The wonderfully sensitive and adroit performance by Olympia Dukakis deserves acclaim... I applaud the play and its star - though from a sitting position," declared Paul Taylor. "Dukakis holds our attention... a performance of effortless dignity," reported The Guardian. "What appears to be on paper a daunting prospect, is transformed by Dukakis's remarkable performance into an enlightening experience," conceded Time Out, while the Daily Telegraph deemed it: "Unforgettable... There is no mistaking the play's great heart." "Rose, for all her feistiness, is a fake. Rose is ingratiating junk," hissed the Financial Times.

Sherman's play tugs too hard on our sympathies, though it brims with black humour and Dukakis shines as the heroine.

Rose is in repertoire at the Cottesloe, National Theatre, London SE1 9PX to 8 Sept. Information and ticket sales on 0171-452 3000

THE ALBUM

LUSCIOUS JACKSON

The New York threesome Luscious Jackson return with a new album, Electric Honey, featuring guest vocals from Debbie Harry and EmmyLou Harris.

"The good stuff won't garner them a bigger audience, while the poppier stuff isn't poppy enough for proper chart success," stated Andy Gill. "[They] do a refreshing line in guest vocals... Not that the Lusciouses need much help, 'cos they're incredibly groovy already," revealed The Guardian. "Their ability to slip into and shed funk, bubblegum, grunge, neo-country, hip-hop, often within the same song, is breathtaking," gasped Uncut."For all their pop edge, the tune quotient tails off halfway through... LJ make fine-sounding records, but few memorable songs," decided the NME. "Sweet as a nut," wrote The Mirror.

While Luscious Jackson's new material reveals a winning eclecticism, there are no real hits on Electric Honey.

Luscious Jackson's Electric Honey (Grand Royal) will be released on Monday