ONE TRICK PONY

US, 1980, 89 minutes, Colour.
Paul Simon, Blair Brown, Rip Torn, Mare Winningham, Alan Goorwitz, Joan Hackett.
Directed by Robert M.Young.

One Trick Pony was written by songwriter Paul Simon. It may be a semi-autobiographical story, a portrait of singer who falls on hard times in mid-life. (However, Paul Simon's own career blossomed in the mid 80s, especially with his Graceland album.)

Paul Simon, a Dustin Hofmann/Woody Allan, style presence, also has the opportunity to sing many of his songs, including the title track. He has a very strong cast in support. The film might be compared to such films as Payday, Songwriter. Director is Robert M Young( Extremities, Saving Grace, Triumph of the Spirit).

1. Audience response to Paul Simon? Skills as songwriter, performer? Writer of the film? Semi-autobiographical? His perspective on the career of the singer?

2. The early 80s, Cleveland and American city locations. on the road, the gigs and the concert, the studios? Authentic atmosphere?

3. The importance of the music; The Title, the credits song, the biographical songs. the songs commenting on Jonah and Marion? Simon's style and performance?

4. The familiar plot, conventional - how interesting when focusing on Simon's character?

5. Jonah and his past, the 60s, the success of Soft Parachute? His age, 10 years with the band, 34 and his prospects? His marriage, the break-up. the relationship, to Marion, relying on her, revisiting her, talking and sharing? Love for his son? The sequences of his playing with him?

6. Jonah and the band, playing, the response of the audiences? The contrast with rock 'n roll? Their talk amongst themselves. the quizzes in the car? Tension in relationships? Jonah and the girl, the waitress, the bar, sexual liaison? Talking with her? Phone call to his wife? The failed performance alter and van Damp? Discussions, insults? Prospects? The invitation to sing alone at the memorial concert? Tension with the band? The party and his rudeness to van Damp? Lonnie and her relationship. threatening, her wanting to back him? The recording, the producer, the orchestration of his music? The return to Marian? His tears - and his prospects? How typical of the performers of the 70s & 80s?

7. Marion and Matty, ordinary, the break with Jonah, his care. absence, love, talking, playing?

8. The band and the variety of types within it, the bonds amongst themselves, their playing together, travelling? Reading the reviews? The crisis, Jonah playing along, the recording, the break?

9. Walter, the record producer, his style and manner, push? Smooth talking? van Damp and his ignorance? Lonnie and her presence at the discussions? Trying to remove Jonah from the party, sexual relationship, pushing his career?

10. Steve as the hotshot producer, his arguments, the clashes with Jonah, the final production, Walter's approval? The promotion talk?

11. The sketch of the girl as a groupie, pleasant, her relationship with Jonah, her own perspective on life?

12. The performing sequences, Paul Simon's music, the concert with the singing of Soft Parachutes? Memories of the past?

13. The title, its reference to the Jonah character and his life?