REVERSAL OF FORTUNE

US, 1990, 110 minutes, Colour.
Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close, Ron Silver, Annabella Sciorra, Uta Hagen, Fisher Stevens, Christine Baranski.
Directed by Barbet Schroeder.

Reversal of Fortune (along with such films as Patty Hearst, Evil Angels) is a reconstruction of court proceedings which were very much in the public eye. This is the story Claus Von Bulow and his being charged with the attempted murder of his wife, heiress Sunny Von Bulow, his subsequent appeal and winning it and his being discharged after a second trial. The events took place in the early 80s.

The case was a celebrated one, very much on television and in the public arena in the U,S. Von Bulow refers to himself in the film as one of the most hated people in America. His stepchildren took sides against him, whereas his daughter with Sunny Von Bulow stood by him. He employed the Harvard professor, lawyer Alan Dershowitz who, with his team, was successful in their appeal.

The film is a reconstruction of what happened - showing various possibilities. These are presented in a voiceover by Sunny Von Bulow herself. However, the main thrust of the film is in the preparation for the appeal, the possibility of looking at the evidence again, looking at American justice, assessing the character of Claus Von Bulow.

The cast is excellent. Jeremy Irons won several awards for best actor of 1990 for his complex performance as the brittle gentlemanly, Claus Von Bulow - aided by Iron's somewhat cadaverous appearance and sepulchral voice. Glenn Close has less to do as Sunny von Bulow but she brings the character alive. Ron Silver is also excellent as Alan Dershowitz (in the year in which he acted excellently in Paul Mazurky's Enemies: a Love Story and contrastingly as the psychotic killer in Blue Steel). There is a strong supporting cast which includes veteran actress Uta Hagen as the maid, Annabella Sciorra (True Love, Cadillac Man) as Dershowitz's assistant and there is an unbilled appearance by Julie Haggerty as Von Bulow's mistress.

The film was directed by Barbet Schroeder (Maitresse, Barfly). The screenplay by Nicholas Kazan was also an award winner of 1990.

1. Audience interest in crimes, reconstructions, the applications and processes of justice? The truth?

2. Audience knowledge of the case, of Claus von Bulow, his lifestyle? Prejudice towards him? The arguments presented for true justice and the possibilities of a defence?

3. The opening credits with the aerial views of the mansions of Newport? The atmosphere of affluent Newport Society? The American cities? Harvard and Boston, Providence and Rhode Island? The world of the law?

4. The title, Alan Dershowitz's book and his perspective on the proceedings? The ironies for the money involved and Von Bulow's fortune?

5. The structure of the film: the introduction with Sunny Von Bulow in coma, Glenn Close's voiceover telling the story of what happened, her speaking throughout the film, her final comments? The straightforward drama of Von Bulow employing Dershowitz and the preparing of the appeal? The insertion of the flashbacks? The hypothetical flashbacks at the end?

6. Sunny Von Bulow's perspective dashed from the point of view of what happened to her, the coma, brain-dead, body healthy? Detached? Claus Von Bulow's perspective, innocence and the truth? His attitude towards truth and lies ? The plausibility of his explanations? His macabre jokes? The perspective of Alan Dershowitz, the law and processes, justice? The audience perspective - the possibilities of the several endings?

7. Sunny Von Bulow seen as victim? The background of her wealth, family, marriage? Her divorces? Newport society and their lifestyle? Her relationship with her children? With Claus? Her drug taking, alcohol, tantrums? Bored with life, enjoying just lying in bed? The breakdowns? Her antagonism towards Claus, his wanting to be employed? Jealousy of his mistress, the love letters? The overdosing on aspirin and the possibilities of motivation? The build up to the first coma, in bed, Claus, Maria, the calling of the doctor, her revival? The second coma and the collapse? The meaning of her life? How much audience sympathy?

8. Jeremy Iron's portrait of Claus Von Bulow: his European background, his working for J.P. Getty, marriage to Sunny Von Bulow, entry into society, finding his place there? The wealthy life and lifestyle? His appearance, his manner? Wanting to be a gentleman? The lifestyle, his admitting to taking drugs in, the 60s? The alienation from Sunny, his relationship with his mistress, the yacht, the love letters? Her testimony in court - against him? Wanting to work, the discussions with Sunny? His good relationship with all the children? The trial, the evidence against him, being found guilty? Public reaction against him? His comments about restaurants and class? Approaching Dershowitz? His offer of the truth of the story? Did the audience believe him? The dinner with Alan, explaining the situation? His fastidious style? Going to meet the team, the conference with them, sharing the Chinese food? Telling his perspective of the story the flashbacks, the happy relationship, the clashes and tension, the mistress, the children? The circumstances before each of the comas? His relationship with Andrea and her support of him during the trial? Getting affidavits? Watching the court proceedings on television? The final meeting with Alan, Andrea's presence, winning the legal battle - Alan leaving him with the moral question? His going into the shop to buy cigarettes and the joke about insulin and the wink?

9. Alan Dershowitz playing basketball, his son, the Jackson Bros trial (and his concern about the death penalty, the phone calls throughout the film)? The phone call from Von Bulow, agreeing to talk to him, the dilemma about taking the case, believing him guilty, constitutional rights and justice? Visiting Claus, the meal, the fee? The explanation of the team? Recruiting them, their expertise? The girl with the dilemma about taking the case, his argument about justice, and defence? Hard work, the nature of the research? His visits to David Marriott? Recruiting Sarah, her background with him? Looking at the trials, legal argument, the evidence, the affidavits, the taped interviews with Marriott and his using them, Alan's confronting this and being vindicated on television? The pressure of the time? The meetings and discussions, the brainwaves - even during basketball games? Meals together? The conference with Claus and the group? The interrogations? Preparing his dossier, going into court, challenging the judge and quoting his precedent? The prosecutor taking his bait about examining all, the evidence? His victory? Retrieving the initial lawyers documents? The second trial and Von Bulow's victory? Left with the moral dilemma?

10. Alan's character and personality, relationships with his team, with his son, concern about the Jacksons, the past relationship with Sarah? Sarah attractive, working, the difference between loving someone and living with them? His son involved in the proceedings?

11. Sunny Von Bulow's children - their place in the household, bonds with each other, Alexander and Cosima playing together? The concern about their mother? Involved in drugs? Maria the maid and her concern, suspicions? Maria and the children going to the lawyer, the private investigations for evidence, the insulin, the hyperdermics? The irony of their testimony about the insulin and the recovery of the documents later?

12. The portrait of the mistress, Newport background, on the yacht, the testimony, in court? Claus's love and hate for her? Andrea and her style, dominance?

13. David Marriott, his affidavit, drug deals, the interviews and being cautious, the irony of his taping the interviews, his wanting to use them for money, his being exposed?

14. The search for the truth, the various possibilities? Justice done, being seen to be done? The prurient interest of the case, audiences curious? How much insight?