JENNY

US, 1970, 89 minutes, Colour.
Marlo Thomas, Alan Alda.
Directed by George Bloomfield.

Jenny was released as a supporting feature. It was certainly above average as a support. Marlo Thomas' freshness made what could have been a cliche romance something stronger. The film is the exploration of an affair and the old themes of physical and emotional and spiritual love. It is a merit of the film that it shows a genuine love blossoming before physical consummation. The idea of two people being married and experiencing the realities of daily life and then discovering that marriage demands total self-giving is worked out in an unusual way. Of interest to parents and teenagers.

1. Was this a major film or a minor film? Why?

2. What was conveyed in the first drive-in sequences? - Elizabeth Taylor in A Place in the Sun (a girl is pregnant and suffers); the conventions of love-making; the use of film as symbols of contemporary words and attitudes?

3. Did you like Jenny? Why? What kind of girl was she? Did you admire her?

4. Did you like the hero? Why? Was their meeting - the sequences of his filming - well done? why? Few words were spoken but a lot of meaning was communicated. How?

5. Why did their personalities click? Was it just because they were two persons with problems, pregnancy and the draft - so that they shared mutual concern and enjoyed each other's company? Was there anything more than that?

6. Was their 'official' marriage a good idea? Why did each of them agree to this arrangement? What were their real motives?

7. What light did the visit to Jenny's parents throw on Jenny, Delano and the older generation?

8. Was the 'marriage' happy? Were the home arrangements, with the allowance for separate interests and privacy a good idea?

9. To some extent this marriage showed some of the possibilities of love without full sexual fulfilment. It emphasised that sexual fulfilment is not the sole uniter of couples. Why?

10. In their disagreements, which of them was selfish? Why did they disagree when they were so happy in each other's company earlier?

11. How did Jenny's personality change and develop as she prepared for her baby? what did this show about motherhood?

12. How did Delano's party with the pot, drink and his girl-friend show what kind of man he was?

13. Why did Jenny get so upset about the party and go out? what was she looking for? What was she longing for?

14. Why was Delmo so jealous? When they were reconciled, was it right for them to consummate the marriage? Why?

15. What future would they have - with the baby, he still being called up? Had they each made a decision? Could you tell by the look in Delano's eyes what the future could be? How?