KANSAS

US, 1988, 111 minutes, Colour.
Andrew Mc Carthy, Matt Dillon, Leslie Stevens, Kyra Sedgwick.
Directed by David Stevens.

Kansas is the story of two drifters, played by Matt Dillon and Andrew Mc Carthy. Matt Dillon, from prison, goes to the bad. Mc Carthy, on the road wandering, has a chance for heroism and takes it.

Kansas is also a way of life, the Midwest with its farms, small towns, religion and patriotism. It is destructive of Dillon, helps Mc Carthy back on his feet.

The film is an allegory of modern Midwest America. It was directed by Australian director David Stevens (Town Like Alice, Clinic, Undercover).

1. A piece of Americana, the Midwestern states, way of life and style, traditions?

2. Location photography, the towns, the landscapes and farms, parades? Stunts, effects for the burning of the barn? Musical score?

3. The title, Kansas as a place, lifestyle, attitude? The American dream, planning and expected achievement? The ironies? The contrast with the west coast and New York?

4. The introduction to Doyle and Wade: on the train, comparing stories, Doyle's vision of Kansas, getting off the train, the small town, the family, religious television, their stealing, Wade leaving the $20, going to the parade, Doyle encountering the man whose shirt he had taken, the bank?

5. The robbery, its swiftness, Doyle initiating, being on a high? The attack of the people? The gun, stockings? Running, the plan, separating?

6. Doyle and his wandering, his reputation, the police visiting his father, his not wanting to be on the farm? A mean son? Pursued, having a drink with the policeman and his jeering his graduating son? Doyle robbing him, taking the car, changing the licence, speeding, crashing into the policeman's car? Getting a job in the carnival, attracted to the woman, using her? The life at the carnival, meeting Wade, arranging the meeting, Wade's not turning up, going to the barn, listening in to the conversation, threatening, setting the barn alight? Telling the journalist about Wade and the robbery? His girlfriend, getting her to take his photo? The bridge, the meeting, fighting Wade, taking the money? His brutality towards the girl, the police seeing him, the roadblock, the crash and his death? A futile life?

7. Wade and his mystery, Catholic family, driving to New York, the crash, on the train, Doyle and his vision of Kansas, enthusing Wade, his getting off and following, the house, the parade, the robbery and the gun at his head, hiding the money on the bridge, saving the little girl, being hailed as a hero, sleeping in the field, the sunflowers? The girl at the parade, at the farm, considering taking the truck? Being hired for work, the infatuation with Lori? Her father giving him the job? Quiet, watching Lori playing tennis, infatuated by her? The carnival and the meeting with Doyle? The plan, the sexual encounter with Lori, his missing the meeting? Doyle's turning up, the clash, his wanting his independence, the arson, taking the horses out to safety? Being photographed? Identified, the celebration? The talk with Lori, telling her the truth? The fight with Doyle, unable to shoot him? The decision to elope, getting on the train, getting off again? The experience, his future?

8. Lori, wealthy, flirting, her relationship with Ted, the tennis games, horse riding with Wade, sexual encounter, clash, leaving Ted, the elopement? The finale?

9. The father and the farm, life, the hands and Buckskin and his friendship, work, the storm, the burnt barn, celebration?

10. The governor, his speeches, the child and the rescue, Wade as hero, political use of the heroism?

11. The handicapped journalist, his photographs, Doyle seeing him, the news story, tearing it up?

12. The police, the recognition of Doyle, the plans for capturing him, visit to his father?

13. The small character pieces: Doyle's father on his porch, the carnival leader, Doyle's girlfriend?

14. A piece of Americana, hard times, the traditions of the outlaws and bank robbers, a 20th. century version.