MISUNDERSTOOD

US, 1984, 91 minutes, Colour.
Gene Hackman, Henry Thomas, Rip Torn, Susan Anspach.
Directed by Jerry Schatzberg.

Misunderstood is an adaptation of an Italian film of the same name by Luigi Commencini. This version, set it Tunisia, is directed by Jerry Schatzberg (Puzzle of a Downfall Child, Panic in Needle Park, Street Smart, Reunion). It is the story of the businessman who loses his wife, is unable to communicate well with his two sons. Gene Hackman is the businessman. Henry Thomas (of E.T., Frog Dreaming) is the older son. Rip Torn is an uncle. The film is moving, has a great deal of sentiment - and explores, for a wide audience, the tension between the father who loved his wife, was busy about his work, that he did not understand his two sons.

1.Emotional story? Moving? Insight?

2.Tunisian locations, the atmosphere of Africa, people and customs? Americans in Tunisia? Musical score?

3.The film as a remake of an Italian original, the adaptation to American situations? Americans in Africa?

4. The title, with reference to Andrew, with reference to Ned? Misunderstandings and possibilities of communication, consequences?

5.The situation: Ned and Susan, their relationship, the flashbacks, her presence, the memories, her being pictured, shared experiences, the absence? Emotion and grief? The shock of her death, resentment, the stages of grief and acceptance of death in each of the characters?

6.Ned, the funeral, his grief, the support of Will, confused, not wanting to tell the boys, loving his wife, and yet not being able to communicate with his sons? Concern, treating Andrew as a man, formally, blaming him? The governess and trying to get her to cope with the boys? His coping with his business, Kate and her help? His taking sides with the boys, not knowing the details? Arguing with Will, the race to the top of the cliff? Taking Andrew to the ship, the accident, to the desert? Blaming Andrew about the cold? Andrew's accident, his going to hospital? The essay and the final embrace? The father trying to be himself, cope with his grief, look after children - like cutting their meals and reading their stories?

7.The two boys together, their relationship with their mother, at home, the governess, the bike, the soup, playing, inseparable, their age? Andrew coping? Miles as more boyish? At school, Andrew wandering the city, the Tunisians and their funeral customs? The games? The formal treatment by his father? With Uncle Will? The visits to the cemetery?

8.Miles as the younger boy, coping, cute, his father taking his side, his illness, coming onto the branch with Andrew and causing the accident?

9.Andrew as the older brother, trying to cope as an adult, accept his father's blame, feeling alone, racing up the hill and embracing his father, going to the ship, watching his father treating the accident, in the office, blaming Kate, being hurt, going onto the branch? His illness, the possibility of paralysis, the essay about his best friend, his father reading it?

10.The sketch of Uncle Will, relationship with Susan, helping with the funeral, with the boys, his warm presence in the family, running up the hill, taking their side, challenging Ned's attitudes?

11.Kate, at work, her friendship, coping, Andrew blaming her and thinking she was to marry his father?

12.The governess, her work, hostility?

13.A blend of sentiment, emotion, human problems, audiences identifying with the problems?