THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER OVER THE SEPTIC TANK

US, 1978, 100 minutes, Colour.
Carol Burnett, Charles Grodin, Eric Stoltz, Alec Rocco.
Directed by Robert Day.

The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank is based on stories by Erma Bombeck. They were humorous stories about an American family and an attempt to move from the city to the country. The film is a vehicle for Carol Burnett (and was thought of as a possible television series). She is well matched by Charles Grodin who brings his low-key, laconic comic style to the film. It is the type of American domestic comedy with the humane touch that has been popular since Cheaper by the Dozen and films of its kind (and before).

1. Entertaining American domestic comedy? Its universal appeal?

2. The atmosphere of the American city, the contrast with the suburbs, streets, homes? Authentic atmosphere?

3. The comment of the title, its irony, suburbia - and the ending?

4. Urban pressure, decisions, change, seeking homes, buying - and the consequences?

5. The city, suburbia, distance and the freeways? Transport: bikes and cars? House difficulties? Neighbours, parties etc? Lawns? Questions of school, sport and groups? Insurance? The themes as funny and real?

6. The move from the city, hopes, the kids (and the ride - happy, meal and jokes)? The heroine and her writing, her den? Problems in the garden? Helen and company? Ralph, Jim and his being tired, in the city? Parties - buying, insurance, cars and jobs, frustration? The course and decisions to go or not? Angers? The bedroom? Going back? Studying? The lawn? The writing from experience?

7. Jim and his experience of the transition from city to suburbia, work, tired, talking to the boys, meeting the neighbours, sport, the lawn, back to the city, fighting, apologies?

8. The sketch of the children: Steve, his age, the girl, the little boy?

9. Ralph, sport, his wife?

10. Women and visiting, clubs etc.?

11. The parties - and the spoof on Brother Bud?

12. Themes of money, home, work?

13. The theme of the creative writer trying to find an environment for work?

14. Hassles, frustrations, the resilience of human nature?