THE TWO OF THEM (OK KETTEN)

Hungary, 1978, 100 minutes, Colour.
Lili Monori, Jan Nowicki.
Directed by Marta Meszaros.

The Two of Them is a humane drama by celebrated Hungarian director, Marta Meszaros, who made such films as Adoption, Nine Months, Les Heritiers. This is a portrait of two women, the interaction of the generations, made effective by the performances of Marina Vlady and Lila Montori. They are well supported by Jan Nowicki, who has appeared in Marzaros' other films.

The setting is contemporary, the focus on an institution which Mari, the older woman, manages. Juli is a neglected wife with a husband who has a drug problem. The interaction of the two women highlights the happiness and unhappiness in both their lives. The ultimate focus is on Mari. It is interesting to note the warmth of films coming from Soviety Bloc countries. While there is an emphasis on socialism, especially in the organisation of social welfare, there is also a strong feeling of humanity.

1. The focus of the title, a portrait of women? A sketch of each woman in herself? The effect of each on the other?

2. The importance of the feminine perspective: the writing, the direction, the performances? The impact for women? Feminist? The impact for men - an invitation to empathy and understanding?

3. The atmosphere of Hungary - institutions, homes? The location photography? The socialist atmosphere of the '70s?

4. The deep humanity? The sketching of the situation: social welfare, women and their needs, the institution, authority, help? The stereotyping of roles and breaking through? The needs of the younger women? The influence of the older?

5. Mari - her work, her being less severe than her assistant? The news of the death of her mother, her return home, the scenes (frequently) of her travelling in the train? The encounter with her husband? Her daughter? The grief and the rituals? The return to work, the clash with her fussy assistant? The encounter with Juli, the mutual insults, her not coping? Her bringing Juli back and the beginning of a bond? Her interest in the case, in the person? The growing realisation about the quality of her own life, of her marriage? The distance between herself and her husband? His going to work in Mongolia? Their talking together, the sexual relationship: sensual? Her discovery of her own sensuality, the importance of the shower sequence? The outings with Jull, the encounter with Juli's husband and the discussion? Juli's daughter? The casual encounter with Juli's friend and the sexual liaison? The significance of the serious talk with Juli's husband? His reaction and turning against her, her visiting him during his treatment? Her response to the bond, the break? Sensitivity, grief? Her drinking at the party - and the clash with her second-in-charge? Her becoming a mother for Juli? The significance of the final run as the two women chased Juli's daughter? A portrait of a woman, middle age, reassessment of her life? Future prospects?

6. The contrast with Jull and her youthfulness, appearance, clothes, her woebegone look and manner? The modern young woman, and her not coping? Her husband and his visits, his drug problem? Her child? In and out of the institution? The hostile reaction initially to Mari? Reconciliation? The bond between the two women? The need for support? Mari's effect on her husband? Her dreading going to see him having treatment? The end, chasing her daughter with Mari? The portrait of a young woman? Comparison with that of the older woman?

7. The husband and his pleasant manner, reputation, drug problem, seeing him stoned? His irresponsibility, the cure? His pleasantness to Juli? To Mari? The importance of the bond with the long talk together, his enabling Mari to look at her life? His own relapse, the ugliness of the detail of the cure, his violent reaction, breaking the bonds? Future reconciliation?

8. The child - relationship to parents, her dilemmas, coping? Running away at the end - a symbol of Hungary?

9. The sketch of Mari's husband: at the death of her mother, the prospect of Mongolia. the sexual relationship. the clashes, his complacency, his leaving, the letters and their infrequency? The effect of his ultimate return?

10. The sketch of the assistant at the institution, her severity, judging others. comparisons with Mari?

11. An atmosphere of realism: mirroring Hungarian society, people, situations? Problems and erratic responses to problems?

12. The feminine sensibility? experience, bonds, age? Empathy for all audiences? And the significance of the uncertain ending?