ON FIRE

US, 1987, 83 minutes, Colour.
John Forsythe, Carroll Baker, Woody Strode.
Directed by Robert Greenwald.

On Fire is a topical telemovie about ageing, retirement, retrenchment and unemployment for those who retire. The film stars John Forsythe, a film actor who is best known for television roles in Charley's Angels and Dynasty. He serves as executive producer of this film. Carroll Baker plays his wife. The film is particularly American in tone - but is relevant, especially for audiences in first world countries, especially those who are ageing and facing the problems facing the hero of this film. The film has a background of the fire department (enabling some fire fighting scenes to be included). However, the film also shows how exhilarating the work is for the hero and how enervating is retirement, staying at home, going to the supermarket with his wife. The pathos of the humiliation of severment, trying to keep in touch with workers and past work, job interviews is strongly felt. However, there is a rather pessimistic and melodramatic and frustrating ending.

1. Interesting telemovie, contemporary issue - for the wide television audience?

2. The American city, fire fighting, homes, workplaces? The musical score?

3. The title - the retired fireman and fire investigator? The angry man retiring and unable to be employed?

4. Joe, John Forsythe's screen presence? At the dinner, and being called out to investigate the fire? His skills, knowing his job? His friendship with people at work? His younger associates? The plan for his retirement, the deal, staying on? The sudden news about his retirement? His successor and his having to take over? Joe wanting to keep contact? Phone calls, calling in? Keeping contact with the investigators and their lives, their having meals with him, expressing their dissatisfaction? His life with his family, love for his wife? Yet not attuned to a retired way of life, bored, not wanting to be at home, sleeping? Bored and ignorant in the supermarket - and picking a fight with the man jumping queue? Getting further and further depressed? Going to his friend with the service station and reminiscing about old cases?

5. His wanting to work, his pride in his work? Keeping contact with the fire department? Going to interviews, his being well received? His nervousness about what to wear and his wife helping him? Waiting for phone calls, their not coming? The big group of applicants for jobs? His final desperation, dying his hair, the job interview and his angry outburst and frustration?

6. Joe in himself, an American man, dependant, provider for his family, good at his work? No preparation for retirement? Believing in himself and this being frustrated? His support from his wife? His love for his sons? His collapse and anger?

7. The sketch of Joe's wife, at home, her understanding and support, helping, the shared life in retirement? Unable to ultimately help him with his frustration?

8. Joe and his relationship with his sons, the youngest son becoming a fireman, Graduation? The strain of lives lost in fires and his taking it out on his girlfriend? Going to visit his son, the new technology? The younger son jealous of his musician brother?

9. Joey, welcomed home, the pianist, the composer? Tension with the other brother about employment and the nature of work? Their uniting to support their father?

10. The work of the fireman, action, deaths? Arson investigations? Criminals? The need for police force and supervision?

11. Themes of age, expectations and change, learning to change and frustration?