RETURN ENGAGEMENT
US, 1978, 74 minutes, Colour.
Elizabeth Taylor, Joseph Bottoms, Allyn Ann Mc Lerie, Peter Donat.
Directed by Joseph Hardy.
A brief soap-opera style telemovie. It gave Elizabeth Taylor an opportunity to act after her virtual retirement from the screen in the late seventies. She had appeared in a previous telemovie on Entebbe, Victory At Entebbe. In this film she appears and acts her age. In a rather unlikely aspect of the plot, she is a former dancing partner become Ancient History professor and encounters a rather self-centred and brash young man, played by Joseph Bottoms. The story tells of their brief interaction. The focus of the film ultimately is on the theme of affection; something between love and friendship, something which affects a person's life and attitudes. This is a valuable theme and is presented well if somewhat implausibly at times and sentimentally. A pleasant telemovie.
1. The impact of this kind of film on the television audience? The home audience responding to plot, the stars, themes? The gearing of the message to the wide audience?
2. The film as an Elizabeth Taylor vehicle? Her star presence, her age, her own personal background in connection with the character she played?
3. The quality of the plot? American sentiment, middle age crises, the plausibility, contrived aspect of the plot?
4. The atmosphere of the American campus, the ancient history lecture, housing, counsellors, staff and friendships, annual review? How authentic a background?
5. The focus on Emily? her walking during the credits, her conduct of the class, the questioning of Stewart Anderman, her discussions with Florence about her private life, the encounter with Stewart and his pushiness, his imposing himself, the noise, the television, waking her up at 3 a.m., discovering her scrap book and her identity, breaking confidence in revealing the secret? Her feeling hurt?
6. Stewart and his age, the doctor's explanation of his background, his behaviour in class, moving in, intruding, pushy, the television antenna, watching films, discovering her secret and revealing it?
7. The build-up to the revue? the rehearsals, the cello player? Stewart's telling the organiser, his visit to Emily and pressing her to perform, her forcing Stevart to act, the rehearsals? The song and dance and joke act? Its not being particularly good - but a success for the evening? Emily's speech about herself and her life to the audience, the standing ovation?
8. Emily revealing herself? the story of her meeting of Harry, their work together, their marriage and break-up? Stewart inviting her upstairs to watch Casablanca? Her birthday party for him, the poster?
9. The suddenness of his statement about moving out, Emily's feeling hurt, her saying she didn't mind? Her explanation to Florence about her feelings towards Stewart?
10. His leaving, the irony of his going back to get the Casablanca poster, his hearing her weeping?
11. The contrived aspect of the discussion in class? the occasion for the explanation of the difference between love, friendship, affection? The film's emphasis on affection as a quality that affects a person's life? The film not relying on the full sexual relationship for the solution to relationships?
12. The overall impact of the film? the response to the star, the middle aged woman, the relationship with the young student, the breaking out of inhibitions, the need for relationships?
