THE SECRET PASSION OF ROBERT CLAYTON

US, 1992, 100 minutes, Colour.
John Mahoney, Scott Valentine, Kevin Conroy.
Directed by E. W. Swackhamer.

The Secret Passion of Robert Clayton is a conventional television film, a bit sensational from its title – and touches of the plot whereby a young man, infatuated with his school sweetheart who has married another man, becomes involved with her again. In the meantime, he has to prosecute her husband who is a man of loose morals and has become involved in the murder of a party girl. However, in this rather sensationalist world, it emerges that Robert’s father is also involved with his sweetheart. There are some court sequences – but the film is more of a popular television movie presentation of characters and complex and illicit relationships.

1. Television move? Soap opera style?

2. American affluence, the city, families, homes?

3. The title and its emphasis? Robert Clayton Jr? His father?

4. Robert, his infatuation with Katherine, memories of schooldays, his career, the law, his success? Meeting Katherine again? Her relationship with Hunter? Hunter and his behaviour?

5. The portrait of Robert Clayton Sr, age, experience – and his own drives and passions?

6. The girl, the party, Hunter, the violence, her death?

7. The court sequences, the role of the judge? The discussions, the prosecution?

8. The judge, listening to the evidence, decisions?

9. Katherine and her true self, playing off son against father and vice versa? The husband, his behaviour, the murder? Her performance in court?

10. The collage of the evidence, the friend with the photo?

11. Robert, his role in the court, with Katherine, the discovery of the truth? The set-up? The lies and the ending?