SHORT TAKES

JOE EGG: Another fine play becomes an undistinguished movie. The performers (Alan Bates and Janet Suzman) are admirable; the script is as good as it ever was. The fault lies with director Peter Medak’s inability to find cinematic equivalents for a number of stage conventions (fantasy sequences, and direct addresses to the audience, to name two.)

THE WAR BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN: The life of James Thurber turned into situation comedy; the talents of Jack Lemmon, Barbara Harris, and Jason Robards turned into oatmeal mush. Beware.