MR NORTH
US, 1988, 92 minutes, Colour.
Anthony Edwards, Robert Mitchum, Lauren Bacall, Harry Dean Stanton, Anjelica Huston, Mary Stuart Masterson, Virginia Madsen.
Directed by Danny Huston.
Mr North is based on the novella `Theophilus North' by Thornton Wilder (Skin of Our Teeth, Our Town). Set in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1926, it focuses on a genial young man, inquiring, ambitious yet detached, a kindly man who changes everybody's life for the better.
Anthony Edwards has a very good role as Mr North and is supported by quite a star cast including Robert Mitchum, Lauren Bacall, Harry Dean Stanton.
The film was co-written by John Huston, one of his last pieces of work. It was intended that he play the role eventually acted by Robert Mitchum. Direction is by Huston's son, Danny Huston.
A most engaging piece of Americana.
1.The work of Thornton Wilder? His view of America of the '20s?
2.The Rhode Island settings, Newport and its mansions, 1926 and the lifestyle? Affluent? The engaging musical score?
3.The portrait of T. Theophilus North: the explanations of his background, education? A free spirit? A wanderer and a searcher? His finding himself in Rhode Island? With the children, reading `Alice in Wonderland' and their bold reaction? His leaving them? His advertisement? The interview by Sarah for her father? The prim and proper butler? The interview with Mr Bosworth, the reading of scripture, discussion about languages, discussion about his search in life? Literature and philosophy? His meeting with Henry, playing pool? Their friendship? His being accepted in the town? His going to Amanda Cranston's, with Henry, being entertained? His not being able to live there? His working with the fish? The YMCA, his room? Coaching the children tennis and their wanting the electric shocks? Thinking it was magic? His discussions with Sally, meeting her at the Bosworths, her coming to visit him, compromise? Her leaving? Mr Bosworth and his friendship, listening to the reading, taking the pills, venturing out of his room, enjoying the drive? Dr Mc Pherson and Sarah? In cahoots? Their suspicions? The hold over Mr Bosworth? His illness? Suspicions of Theophilus? His meeting with Elspeth and Galloper? Elspeth's migraines? Her parents asking him to touch her? Her cure? His going to visit the German lady, talking in German, talking to her about the hymn and God's providence? Giving her peace? The people arriving at the YMCA wanting healing? Their pursuing him? His arrest? The court case, his behaviour, the truth? His discounting his gifts? His explanation of the electrical charge? Mr Bosworth's peppermint pills? People testifying in his favour? Dr Mc Pherson defeated? His going to the ball, getting dressed, Henry helping him with the suit, the dancing? Amanda's approval? Meeting Sally, the hostess? Her success? Bosworth and his proposal about the philosophy institute? Mrs Bosworth arriving, his attachment to her, the dance and their leaving the ball - and the electric spark? The portrait of a good young man?
4.Mr Bosworth, his age, his daughter keeping him an invalid, Dr Mc Pherson? The reading the discussion about the Bible and literature? His liking Theophilus? Taking the pills, venturing out, the ride, the testimony in the court? His final proposal for Theophilus?
5.Sarah, prim and proper, looking after her father, her disdain for people, liking Dr Mc Pherson? Getting rid of Sally? Going to the ball, her mad response and singing to meeting Sally?
6.Sally as the maid, kind to Theophilus, dismissed from the house, going to visit him, leaving, meeting her true love, the marriage and her acceptance? The hostess?
7.Dr Mc Pherson, the big fees made by doctors in Newport, his being in league with Sarah? His taking out a warrant for Theophilus? His behaviour in the court, being exposed, in contempt of court?
8.Amanda and her background, in Newport, the boarding house, the genial boarders, taking tea, taking a liking to Theophilus? Friendship with Henry? In the court case and supporting him? Urging him to go to the ball?
9.Elspeth and her family, her headaches? His touching her, the relief, the seeing of the healing? Galloper and his friendship? The parents' testimony in the court?
10.Henry, his background, his pretending to be British - and a better wage? World War One, Newport, Rhode Island, in the best households? His friendship with everyone, Amanda? Playing pool with Theophilus? Telling him his secrets? At the court case, helping him for the ball?
11.The children of Rhode Island - wealthy and nasty, wealthy and friendly?
12.Theophilus and his electric charge, the healings, the reaction of people? Treating him as a saviour? Chasing him around the town? The reaction of the YMCA clerk?
13.The judge, the court case, the vindication of Theophilus - his gift, helping people, not taking any money?
14.An optimistic and genial picture of the United States?
