Joe Abbott comments: "I saw *12 Monkeys* last week and found it entertaining enough. I didn't know going in that it had been "inspired" (I think was the term) by Chris Marker's *La Jetee*. Oddly enough (for me at least) I much preferred the French film. It has an experimental edge to it that 12 Monkeys doesn't. There's certainly a publishable paper in comparing the two. I must say, however, that Brad Pitt is astounding in this film." I'd agree that Pitt is very good, but I hope people don't overlook Madeleine Stowe's performance, which I thought equally good. She strikes a remarkable balance in moving from skeptical but compassionate objectivity to being a True Believer. I was especially struck by the scene when she's been kidnapped by Willis and she manages to convey stark terror at her situation while still engaging intellectually to find a way around this apparent madman *and* feeling some pity for him. LA JETEE is one my favorite shorter films, but I don't think a full comparison with 12 MONKEYS is quite fair. Gilliam was "inspired" by Marker's film to take the basic premise of time travel and psychology and flesh them out within a full-length narrative format. I liked that it was true to its source while still doing something different. Don Larsson, Mankato State U (MN) ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]