IMPURE THOUGHTS
US, 1985, 87 minutes, Colour.
Brad Dourif, narration by Judith Anderson.
Directed by Michael A. Simpson.
Impure Thoughts is a small-budget feature originating in Georgia. It is clearly written by Catholics who take the opportunity to reminisce about the nature and impact of Catholic education and religious education during the '50s and '60s. The film is of particular interest to Catholic audiences, especially those who remember the period dramatised. It is difficult to tell how interesting it will be to those who do not have the Catholic mind set, language and customs.
The film is an experience in Purgatory: four men die (and we see the different ways in which they die) and then assemble in a room where they reflect on their own lives, interact amongst each other - and then, one presumes, are in some ways ready to go to Heaven. There is a very brief explanation of Purgatory given by Dame Judith Anderson in the last moments of the film.
The film is interestingly written and has some very striking images as well as re-creations of Catholic education of the past, eg first communion ceremony, confession, religious education class, a dance of the '60s, complete with Sister and ruler to measure the six-inches distance between dancing couples. While much of the film is perhaps obvious, it is an interesting '80s reflection on the past. The screenplay is both critical and affectionate - and an interesting comparison is the Australian production, the mini-series Brides of Christ (1991).
1. Expectations from the title, the Catholic mentality, the Catholic experience and memory? Catholic education?
2. The Purgatory experience? The plausibility of this dramatisation? The explanation given at the end on the nature of Purgatory, reflection on life, atonement?
3. The film as a piece of Americana, a cross-section of men and their experience of growing up in the '50s and '60s? The re-creation of the '60s and the American Dream about 1960? The world of clear-cut Republicans and Democrats? The coming of JFK? The transition to 1963, the assassination of Kennedy? Vietnam and its effect?
4. The brief presentation of the death of each man: Danny and his photo and death in Vietnam? Kevin, playing sport, his collapse? Bill, the speech, businessman, his choking? Steve at home and collapsing?
5. Danny waiting in the room, the others joining him? The beginnings of discussion? Time and timelessness? The interaction, their past associations and friendships? The attacks, the hurts? The shared humour? Their memories of Catholic education and its impact on them? Telling the truth? Insights?
6. The Catholic atmosphere, language pervading the film? The Catholic world view, vocabulary about God, the church, sacraments, sinfulness, morality? The church and politics?
7. The memories of the nuns? In the old habits, their manner, discipline, style? The first communion discipline, the religious education classes and tests, the sacraments, sex classes, supervising dances? Sister Juliette and her more open-minded approach - and the discussions about doctrine, rituals, the wearing of scapulars? Answers to Steve's questions? The role of the priests, worship, classes, sex education?
8. The portrait of parents, Bill's father and his right-wing republicanism, severity against Kennedy, pro-Nixon? The discussions about politics? Kevin and his Catholic upbringing? Steve and the experience of being gay? Danny and his family, visiting Bill's family?
9. The first communion sequence, the little children, the regulations of the past, fasting, reverence, receiving communion?
10. The confession sequence, the shopping list of sins, the offhanded way of mentioning impure thoughts? The priest questioning, the penance? The doctrine classes, definitions of sin, the boys revising and preparing for the test? Conditions for mortal sin etc? The classes on politics, the role of Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, Nixon?
11. The sex education class, the priest and his explanations, awkwardness, Sister tearing out pages from the magazines? Danny and his memories of flirting, the memory of the dances and the discipline?
12. Bill's home, the style, the mother wanting everything to go sweetly? The father and his prosperity? Dan's visits and Bill's recollections? Bill looking at his life, measuring up to his father, ruthless and embezzling?
13. Kevin and his proper Catholic home, the discussions about the scapulars, his class and the boys substituting the nude photo? His being a righteous Catholic?
14. Steve, the background of his homosexuality, his questions in class, professed atheism, growing up, his books? The clash with Kevin?
15. Danny, growing up, going to Vietnam, the experience of the war? His death?
16. The drinking of the altar wine in the sacristy, the bonding together, priest arriving, their blaming Steve, the news about Kennedy's assassination and their praying together?
16. The picture of a Catholic education in the US - for Catholic audiences? Non-Catholics? The evocation of experiences of memories?
