PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT

US, 1962, 112 minutes, Black and white.
Tony Franciosa, Jane Fonda. Jim Hutton, Lois Nettleton, John Mc Giver.
Directed by George Roy Hill.

Period of Adjustment is a comedy by Tennessee Williams. Williams is not prone to writing comedies, his usual world is a much more complex, bizarre and even sordid world. There have been many film versions of his plays ranging from The Glass Menagerie to Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Sweet Bird of Youth. This film is an ironic look at American marriage and the roles of male and female. Two marriages are presented and contrasted. Part of the comedy comes from the crisp dialogue and the attractive playing of the young stars, especially Jane Fonda. It was one of her earlier films.

It was also the earliest film of director George Roy Hill. He then went on to make such films as Toys In The Attic, The World of Henry Orient, Hawaii, Thoroughly Modern Millie and then Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. He achieved more fame with The Sting for which he won an Oscar. Other films have been Slaughterhouse 5, The Great Waldo Pepper and Slapshot. An interesting film as a piece of Americana, as social comedy, for the work of Tennessee Williams and the early work of George Roy Hill.

1. The meaning of the title, its tone, reference to the character, indication of themes? How apt?

2. Were the stage origins of the film evident? The strengths and the intensity of the dialogue, the patterning of the couples, the confined situations? The strengths of focusing on a small number of characters for these issues?

3. The black and white photography, musical score, the use of exteriors, the reliance on interiors?

4. How important structurally was the patterning of the couples? Comparisons and contrasts, of husbands and wives, of the quality of relationships? A couple beginning, a couple breaking up? How was this reflected in the presentation of Mr and Mrs McGill? The older generation?

5. How did the opening set the tone for audience response to the characters and themes? George and Isabel and their encounter in the hospital? The war background, the nursing background? The romantic comedy style of the hospital sequences? This continuing throughout the marriage sequence the purse for the honeymoon? How were the elements of realism and disintegration evident? How had they developed by the time the couple reached the motel? The crisis at the motel? Although treated comically, how real were the issues?

6. Did the film explain George and Isabel as characters, the differences of their background and their influences on their relationship? What had happened to George in Korea, his sense of inadequacy, his attitude towards marriage and sexuality, the gruffness and irritation in his manner? The contrast with Isabel and her background as a nurse, her nice manner, her naiveté, her capacity for delight, her capacity for being hurt? were they compatible? How well did the film explore the ingredients of their character as preparation for their marriage?

7. The contrast between Ralph and his wife? The filling in of their background in terms of their money, marrying for money, later growth in love, their son, the influence of careers and the in-laws? How did they compare with George and Isabel?

8. The film's comment on the in-laws their grasping,, their pressures, their representing the older generation and their ideas about society, marriages, respectability and money? The dialogue given to the two in-laws to illustrate this?

9. The film's exploration of the American female and her attitude towards marriage, family workf wealth, their husbands? Did they become victims in marriage, how were they victimisers? what were the points of similarity between the two wives, the contrasts?

10. The film's exploration of the American male? Especially in his sense of inadequacy, his capacity for anger? His dominance and his expecting to be placated?

11. How did the film explore the themes of work, jobs, security? The fact that both George and Ralph were prepared to give up their work?

12. How realistic were the reconciliations? The various means? Ralph and the buying of the coat and what it symbolised? George and his backing down? The proving of love?

13. How did the film highlight the American reliance on things and possessions e.g. in terms of the motel, rooms. houses, cars coats, status?

14. How satisfactory was the resolution? How much insight into marriage and menu women relationships did the film offer?