MARTIN'S DAY

Canada, 1985, 98 minutes, Colour.
Richard Harris, Lindsay Wagner, James Coburn, Justin Henry, Karen Black, John Ireland, Saul Rubinek.
Directed by Alan Gibson.

Martin's Day is a Canadian production that could be described as a human thriller. In fact its plot bears a strong resemblance to that of Clint Eastwood's film, A Perfect World, with Kevin Costner as an escapee taking a young boy as hostage and travelling the countryside. This is a much briefer film. It is a star vehicle for Richard Harris as the tense and raging escapee. Justin Henry, the young boy from Kramer versus Kramer, is quite genial as the boy kidnapped. The film has a very strong supporting cast, though most of them have not so much to do: Lindsay Wagner as a psychiatrist, James Coburn as the police lieutenant, John Ireland as an ex-convict, Saul Rubinek as a hitchhiker, Karen Black as Harris's ex-girlfriend.

The film focuses on prison, psychiatry, the desperate escape, the kidnapping of the boy, travelling the Canadian countryside, the bonding between man and boy, both breaking out of their own prisons for a day of freedom (including holding up a train so that the young boy can drive it)? The film also has fatalistic touches as we look at the history of Harris, his relationship with his father, his desperation, criminal life, his medication, his escape and the resignation at the end of the film. The film was directed by Alan Gibson.

1.Interesting and entertaining human drama? Portrait of a criminal? Chase story? Bonding between man and boy?

2.The Canadian settings, the prison, police precinct? The idyllic lake, the countryside around the lake? The Canadian highways? Towns? The factory built by the side of the lake? The musical score?

3.The title - and the ambiguity with the criminal being called Martin as well as the kidnapped boy? The special day for each?

4.Richard Harris and his screen presence, his voice, gaunt appearance, capacity for rage? In prison, the routines, sharing the cell? His friend being released and his giving him the St Christopher medal? The irony of his final betrayal? With the parole board and his being rejected? The discussions with Dr Mennen? Burning himself, going to the infirmary, his discussions with Dr Mennen, the deal for counselling? The flashbacks and his memory of being a boy, the freedom of the lake, swimming, inside the upturned boat? The death of his father? The escape, taking the police car, the clothes? The kidnapping of the boy? His being dangerous, his not being on his regular drugs? Driving through the countryside, the boy trying to escape? Their gradually talking, listening to the boy's story, the affection? The hitchhiker and letting him drive the car and be caught? The truck and getting the food and the games? Going to the shops? Visiting Karen, the reunion with her, the disillusionment after 10 years? The robbery at the gas station? The discussions with the police, with Dr Mennen? Trusting Martin to go and buy the Cokes? His panic, Martin's return? Their going to the lake, the betrayal by his friend? Dr Mennen finding him and their discussions? Going on the lake with Martin? The affection for him, not wanting to hurt him? The siege, getting the gun, the irony of Martin getting a fright and shooting him? Going on the boat, upturned? The dying sequence? The promise to visit him if he went back to prison? The ambiguity of the ending?

5.Martin, at school, kidnapped? His initial fright, panic? Trying to escape? Getting friendly with Martin? Being ordered to eat chocolate? Talking about his mother, stepfather? What he was forbidden to do? His beginning to enjoy the day, share the experiences with Martin? Buying the Cokes, going to the lake, not wanting to leave, promising to visit him in prison? The accidental shooting? Going on the lake, under the boat? The effect of the experience for his life?

6.Dr Mennen, the sessions with Martin? The discussions with the police? Talking on the car radio? Listening to the interviews, going to the lake? Sympathetic?

7.The lieutenant, his pursuit, relentlessness? The final confrontation?

8.Karen, the two marriages, seeing Martin, offering the money, her daughter? Her fear that he would be killed? The importance of the interlude for Martin?

9.The hitchhiker, friendly, playing with the game, driving the police car - and arrested? Themes of prison, crime and freedom?