My review was written in October 1991 after watching the film on Prism video cassette.
Breezy romantic comedy "Lena's Holiday" showcases an engaging new actress Felicity Waterman. Direct-to-video release of the Crown International picture is quality light entertainment.
Waterma, previously seen in small roles in "Die Hard 2" and "Night of the Warrior", portrays Lena, an East German tourist whose misadventures in Los Angeles are lightly geared to the 1989 demise of the Berlin Wall.
Arriving at the airport her bags are switched with those of Dani Minnick, whose muder gets Lena in hot water. Almost everyone, ranging from photographer Nick Mancuso to cab driver Chris Lemmon, is anxious to help the beautiful German girl, except for criminals led by Michael Sarrazin.
Filmmaker Michael Keusch maintains a friendly, romantic tone to the proceedings, with numerous personalities like Bill Dana and Pat Morita popping up for comic relief. Lemmon acts as Lena's unofficial guardian angel in a warm turn that unlike most of his previous roles is careful not to ape the mannerisms of his famous dad, Jack.
Statuesque Waterman handles her German accent with aplomb and creates a charming character whose James Dan obsession makes for a diverting subplot.
Tech credits are fine in a film that fits snugly in the mode of Crown International's traditional drive-in movie fare.
