I LOVE YOU PERFECT

US, 1989, 97 minutes, Colour.
Susan Dey, Allie Mills.
Directed by Harry Winer.

I Love You Perfect is an American telemovie focusing on a cancer victim, her struggle with the disease, her suing the clinic which did not give her information about her physical condition. The film was co-produced by its star, Susan Dey (LA Law). She gives a strong performance as a wilful woman who discovers that she has cancer, goes through radiation and chemotherapy, has remission, but eventually succumbs to the disease.

The film is typical of the very many American telemovies focusing on illness themes, portraying them for a wide audience who can begin to understand, empathise, learn. The film is attractively shot, has strong performances - and would certainly gain the interest of the average audience, wondering about the effects of cancer and how to deal with it.

1. Impact of the telemovie? Interest? Entertainment? Message?

2. Colourful settings: homes, clubs, the outdoors and the horses? Musical score and moods?

3. The title, the relationship between Christina and Alan? The culmination of her life? Alan's love and support for her?

4. The portrait of Christina: her relationship with Eddie, the gift of the expensive car, her breaking with him, his anger? Her attraction towards Alan, flirting with him, confronting him? Inviting him home? His absence, their meeting again, his coming to visit her? Their relationship? Love? Going to Gloria's wedding? The possibility of marriage? Her job, the plants, chef? Her wilfulness and ambitions? Illness, going to the clinic, the news about her cancer? Her response, the radiation, chemotherapy? Lack of progress? Alan supporting her in her illness? Her anger at home, wanting to leave him? Her gradual acceptance? Her remission, the possibility of the wedding, the plans? The phone call, the final diagnosis? Her being urged to go to court about the lack of information on her physical condition? Her agreement? The friendship with Gloria, Gloria's support? The court, the interrogation, the award? Her final collapse, being tended by those she loved? Her death?

5. Alan, his work, attraction to Christina? Wilfulness, the break-up with Eddie? His not being able to support her and give her gifts? The relationship? His work, senator's aide? The possibility of marriage? The horses, the house? Her physical condition, his support? His attacks on the doctor? Giving up his jobs, her reaction to this? Her leaving, his going after her, his continued love, knowing that he had loved someone in his life? A picture of love and devotion?

6. Gloria, her friendship, her wedding? Friendship with Christina, support of her during her illness, the court case? Pete and his advice, urging to sue?

7. The friendship with Red, the horses, the news of his death? Introduction of the theme of death?

8. The clinic, its lack of information? Dr Grant, the examinations, the therapies? Alan and his anxiety? Dr Grant and the news about Christina's illness, terminal?

9. The reality of cancer, its effect on its victims? Movies like this enabling audiences to understand? To help? To cope?