MAD DOG AND GLORY

US, 1993, 96 minutes, Colour.
Robert De Niro, Bill Murray, Uma Thurman, Kathy Baker, David Caruso.
Directed by John Mc Naughton.

Mad Dog and Glory is a brief drama, with comedy touches. It was written by Richard Price (Night and the City, Kiss of Death) and produced by Martin Scorsese and Barbara de Fina. It was directed by John Mc Naughton, who won a reputation for tough realism with his Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. This film is different in tone - perhaps because made for a major production studio, Universal.

The film is also a tour de force for Robert de Niro, playing partly against type as a photographer for the police evidence branch who has the nickname of Mad Dog, which he does not deserve. While he plays against type, so does comic Bill Murray. He portrays the local Mob boss - who does perform at one of his own clubs in stand-up routines. It is a striking performance by Murray. Uma Thurman is Glory, a woman trapped by males in a degrading situation who sees some hope of getting out of it through Mad Dog. Strong support comes from David Caruso as Mad Dog's associate and Kathy Baker as the neighbour across the corridor. The music is by veteran Elmer Bernstein.

1.The title and its tone? Focus on Wayne Doby? The irony of the title?

2.The portrait of Mad Dog in the police setting, the Mob, the clubs, apartment blocks, the street? The authentic Chicago atmosphere?

3.The writing of Richard Price, the previous direction by John McNaughton? Bringing particular styles to the film?

4.The variation on the police investigation theme, gangster themes? Treating familiar material - but with differences?

5.Chicago, the aspect of the movies, the sets and the lighting? The film in the movie tradition?

6.The prologue, the monochrome, the shootings? The transition to colour? The world of mob killings, the streets? The drug world? The money-changing? The shooting in the store? The world of Chicago familiar from the movies?

7.The police investigations? Mad Dog and his involvement, jobs, the department? The relationship of the police to the Mob - and to Frank

8.Wayne and Mike working together, Mad Dog's nickname, his skill as a photographer, going to the store with Frank? The contrast with life at home? Relationship with Leigh, trying to help her? Harold? His saving Frank's life and the consequences? The invitation to go to the club, watching Frank do his routine? Gloria bringing him coffee? His going home - and puzzling about what had happened to him? His natural diffidence?

9.Wayne and the detail of his work, at the office, discussions with Mike? The deaths? Frank coming into the office - and cracking jokes with the police? Hail fellow, well met? Wayne and his being followed? His talking with Glory, being ousted, yet the photos? Looking through the curtains? The image of the deer and the photo? His skill? Leigh and the police officer? Mike and the fight?

10.The relationship growing between Wayne and Frank, talking, the jokes, Frank coming on the heavy, the deaths? Bringing the cake for the police? Mike blunt in his criticism of Frank? Glory, the surveillance? Glory as the gift for the seven days and Frank unable to cope? His shyness, relationship, sexual encounter? The question about Glory's going back, his love for her, the argument, the possibility of raising the money - the efforts he went to raise the money but was unable? The confrontation and the macho fight between Frank and Wayne? His being down but not out?

11.Glory and her story, work in the club, her arrival at Wayne's house, passive, giving him the come-on because that was what her task was? Leigh and Harold? The park and their talk, her telling him the story about her brother, the debt to Frank, paying it off? The contrast with life at home, the tenderness, love, sexuality, protection? Her effect on Wayne, his effect on her? Hiding, the time for the raising of the money? Her decision to leave as the men fought? Her return?

12.The picture of Mike, collaboration with Wayne, work in the department? Tough style, antagonism towards Frank and confrontation?

13.The picture of the Chicago police, investigations, at the station, the Mafia connections?

14.The Mob authorities, Harold as bodyguard and his stolid style?

15.The subplot with Leigh and the policeman, the relationship, the brutality, her reliance on Wayne?

16.The elements of the fairy tale and the moral fable incorporated into a story of Chicago, the police and the Mob?