INDISCREET
US, 1988, 94 minutes, Colour.
Robert Wagner, Lesley Ann Down.
Directed by Richard Michaels.
Indiscreet is a glossy but mild telemovie remake of the classic by Stanley Donen, 1958, with Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant. This film is based on that screenplay and the play by Norman Krasna.
Robert Wagner looks self-satisfied, even smug as the romantic central lead. Lesley Ann Down is very attractive as the actress. However, the romantic interludes are predictable - and the film, while lavish in its production, is a little tedious in its presentation of the romance.
1. Entertaining telemovie? Remake of the Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman classic? The updating to the 1980s?
2. British locations, London, the countryside? The film world, the economics and government world? Musical score? The stars?
3. Ann, as an actress, her relationships, private life, going home? With Margaret and her husband? The meeting with Philip with her make-up on? The attraction, listening to his speech? The on again, off again romance - the cab home, meeting him in the park, the buying of the house, the affair, breaking it off? Her excuses? The scandal sheets and their information? The finale and the marriage? The background of his wife, the divorce?
4. Philip, eligible, separated? The American background, economic expert? His meeting with Ann, the attraction, telling her the truth? Horse-riding? The happiness together, her breaking things off? The antagonism by Ann as she left? Their re-meeting, the decision to marry?
5. Margaret, her concern about her sister, her husband, the introductions, socialising, the children's party with Ann bringing a gift, Philip arriving? Marriage-broking - but wary about the separated Philip? Her advice to Ann?
6. Ann's manager, the practicalities, the comic touches - and keeping her down to earth? The world of film-making in its detail?
7. Popular romantic ingredients? Material from the '50s transferred to the '80s? How well updated? The star power of the leads? The predictability of the romance and its treatment?
