NO BIG DEAL
US, 1983, 86 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Dillon, Sylvia Miles, Tammy Grimes.
Directed by Robert Charlton.
No Big Deal is an enjoyable telemovie about young teenagers. In fact, it is designed for young teenage audiences, a moral fable about the outsider, friendship, the nature of relationships and doing good. It would be useful as an entertainment discussion for younger teenagers, teachers and parents.
The situation is conventional enough: the outsider coming to the school, the teacher asking for the support of the boys to help him. In fact, the experience helps them. Kevin Dillon is the star, giving a surly performance (which he used with variations in such films as The Rescue, Platoon, The Blob).
1. Youth film, friendships and relationships, opportunities? For what audience was the film made?
2. The atmosphere of the city, the suburbs, rich and poor, the school? The world of the young?
3. The title - as used by Arnold? the irony of its use?
4. Michael and Harry and their friends? Playing together, their adventures? In class, relationship with the teacher? Her request, their response, Saturday at the bar? Arnold's arrival, wanting action, their bewilderment? At school and trying to help him, their inability, not knowing how to cope? His insult to the fat boy and calling him a hippo? The fights and their attempts at mediation? The probability of helping him, the possibility of helping?
5. The teacher, her skill in the classroom, her work, relating to the boys? Her after-work job and her request? Handling the situation, the boys in class, encouraging them to listen to Arnold's story about himself? Miss Bellows and her announcements during the school time? Arnold's performance about breaking the loudspeaker? Encouraging him for the exams? The party and her appreciation, the gift? Portrait of a good teacher?
6. Michael as a pleasant young boy, affluent family, wanting his proper name, his relationship with his parents? His riding his bike? Responding to Arnold, trying to help? The teacher's explanation about Arnold's envy? Inviting him to ride the bike, teaching him how? The meal, their friendship? His anger when Arnold took the calculator? The attack on him? The bond, going to his place, seeing his alcoholic mother, the tyre? Inviting him to his home after his mother went to jail? Arnold's plan about going to Canada? Feasibility or not? The gift for the teacher, Arnold taking the money, Michael uncertain as to what really happened, his reaction to Arnold's letter and accusing him of lying? The visit to the institution - and asking who was the loser?
7. Arnold as the problem boy, his background, lies about his father's success as a scientist, Canada? His mother and her drinking? The institution, putting on a show, his performance at the bar, attraction to the girls, smoking, at school, the fights, envy about the bike, learning to ride? Becoming friends with Michael, yet taking the computer? Putting the library computer in Harry's pocket? His taking the blame about the loudspeaker? The boys appreciating him? The dates? His mother's arrest, telling them that Michael's father was his uncle? At their home, Canada plan? The encounter with the girl's father, the interrogation, later ruining his car? The gift of the tyre, the letter to the class - true or not? Did he take the car to go to Canada or not? In the institution, telling Michael that he was a loser? The pensive ending? No big deal?
8. Harry and his friend, their help, being hurt by Arnold, in class, the fights, the calculator, reconciliation? Their critical comments at the end and Michael's reaction?
9. The two girls, their age, meeting the boys, Michael's girlfriend, Arnold and his date, her father and his forbidding Arnold to come, snobbery, destroying the car?
10. The class, cross-section, their response to the teacher, the party for her?
11. Miss Bellows, the role as principal, her announcements and interruptions?
12. Arnold's mother, her drinking, the arrest?
13. The focus on children, society, liabilities, opportunities, rehabilitation?
