REUNION AT FAIRBOROUGH
US, 1985, 110 minutes, Colour.
Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum, Judi Trott, Barry Morse, Ed Deveraux, Red Buttons.
Directed by Herbert Wise.
Reunion at Fairborough is a pleasant nostalgic film of the mid-80s, acknowledging the situation of the '80s, especially about war and peace, the film looks back over 40 years trying to re-assess World War II, American participation in it, the effect on the British.
The film is a star vehicle to reunite Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr(after their work together in Heaven Knows, Mr Allison, The Sundowners and The Grass is Greener). The film is Mitchum's and he has a superiority in his presence. It is hard to believe that he is depressed, even suicidal at the opening. Deborah Kerr is a strong heroine. Red Buttons has a good role as an alcoholic who is helped to reform. Judi Trott is an attractive younger heroine. The cast includes Barry Morse and Ed Devereaux. The English locations give an authentic feel to the film - and remind film viewers of those World War II films where the Yanks were in England.
1. An entertaining romantic drama? Nostalgia? A portrait of people involved in World war II 40 years after? The meaning of the war, the consequences of the war?
2. English locations, the town of Fairborough, the pub and the homes, churches? The airfield? The aerial sequences? The musical score reminiscent of the romantic scores of the '40s?
3. The title and its focus: the young men who left America, who worked in England, fraternised with the English, flew their missions, returned to America leaving the English behind, even children unknown to them? The rediscovery of that past? Its meaning? Its relevance for the complexities of the contemporary world?
4. Robert Mitchum as Carl: the opening in the United States, his playing with the gun, the irony of the phone call from Nate, the possibility of a reunion, it rousing his interest, his being commissioned to find Jigs, finding him, finding him, down and out, alcoholic? Helping him to spruce up? The return to Fairborough, old memories, the reuniting of the men 40 years on, the camaraderie, Carl and his going to find Sally, finding Sheila, the emotional reunion with Sally, the discovery that Sheila was his granddaughter, his wariness about Sally's reticence, understanding it, his own broken marriages, financial success? Loneliness? The participation in the ceremonies, the party and the reunion, talking things over with Sally, the night together, regrets? The encounter with Sheila, listening to her and her modern ideas, his attack on her naivety and single-mindedness, her being hurt? The encounter with Jigs and his drinking, rehabilitation? The decision to return to America, the possibility of staying, the symbol or his taking the plane and flying it, being reunited with Sheila, his speech at the peace group's meeting, his plea for understanding of the attitudes of World War II, that not all contemporary Americans were warmongers, of the reality of the nuclear threat and peace demonstrations? The final reuniting with Sally?
5. Sally and her youthfulness, the liaison with Carl, the birth of her daughter and her not telling Carl, her daughter's life and her death in the accident, bringing up Sheila? Her work in the town? Ageing gracefully? The meeting with Carl, telling him the truth? Sharing by visiting the cemeteries, the memorial ceremonies, the social and the dance? The night together and her grief, regrets, happiness? Her love for Sheila and understanding her? The reuniting with Carl?
6. Sheila and the new generation, her work, belonging to peace groups, her stances against the United States, the military installation, Cruise missiles, nuclear weapons? der knowing the truth, fascination with her new grandfather, wariness of him as an American? Her stating her points of view and Carl being severe with her, her being hurt? His visit to the headquarters, his speech on the chair, the plea to understand Americans and that they were not all jingoistic? her being moved? The demonstration, television sequence, the plane flying over and her realising it was Carl? The drive with him and the reconciliation?
7. Nate and his organising the reunion, motivation, success in bringing people together, the success of his own life, speech at the social?
8. Jigs as down and out, drinking, being spruced up by Carl, going to the reunion, drinking in the bar, the clash with the barkeeper and his being thrown out, at the social, his ability in dancing, taking ginger ale, talking with Joe and Carl, admitting he was an alcoholic?
9. The other men: Joe and past friendships, with Jigs and the drink, talking things over after the ceremony? The old officer and his speech, camaraderie? The former pilot and his wife and their participation? The priest and his presence, the sermon?
10. The understanding of World War II, Carl's explanation that it was a worthy and just war? The concern whether any war afterwards with the complexity of weapons could be just? The contrast of the 1940s and the seeming innocence with later decades?
11. The contemporary theme with Sheila showing Carl the military installation, it making England a target, the Cruise missiles, U.S. publicity and propaganda, British demonstrators?
12. An old-fashioned romantic film? A portrait of old stars and their durability? The impact of the decades since World War Two? The new generation and their questions, concerns?
