DANIELLE STEEL’S FINE THINGS

US, 1990, 150 minutes. Colour.
D.W. Moffett, Tracy Pollan, Judith Hoag, G.W. Bailey, Darrell Larson, George Coe, Peter Michael Goetz, Noley Thornton, Cloris Leachman.
Directed by Tom Moore.

Nineteen of Danielle Steel’s novels were filmed as television films between 1990 and 1996. This is one of the earliest, directed by television and stage director, Tom Moore.

The film opens in New York City but most of the action is in San Francisco and the countryside outside the city. Much is made of the location photography of the city of San Francisco as well as its environs.

D.W. Moffett is a successful businessman who is transferred to California from New York City against his will. His boss is George Coe. He has a very, very dominating mother, played by Cloris Leachman. While in San Francisco he encounters a young divorcee with a little girl (Tracy Pollan and Noley Thornton). He relates very well to both of them and they eventually marry.

The first part of the film is standard Hollywood-style romance of the brightest and glossiest style. However, there is a transition when it is discovered that the wife has a terminal illness – and she dies, leaving letters for her husband and children, urging him to go on with his life. The second part of the film involves the encounter between the businessman and a local doctor, an ensuing romance, the hostility of the young daughter, the eventual reconciliation – and Grandmother becoming part of the family as well.

However, there is some tension in the subplot when the ex-husband wants custody of his daughter. He is a disreputable type, would-be actor, a drug dealer – and it would seem that the court seems to be favouring him unduly. However, after an excursion into Mexico to track him down after he abducts his daughter, the film moves into the resolution and the ex-husband doing drugs and so forfeiting any right to his daughter. Happy ending.

1. The popularity of Danielle Steel’s novels? Bestsellers? The large number of films made in the 1990s and their popularity?

2. The romantic background? The affluent background? Audiences identifying with characters and situations – or admiring this kind of glossy existence?

3. The New York settings, the San Francisco settings, the use of the city, the environs, the country houses? The musical score?

4. The title, audiences liking fine things? The fact that the central character was Bernie Fine – and the finale with the shop, Fine Things.

5. Bernie’s story, a good man, successful in business? His friendship with Paul Berman? Berman persuading him to go to San Francisco? His mother’s interference and hostility?

6. Bernie in San Francisco, his success in the shop? Jane being lost, the ice cream, paging her mother, the encounter with Liz? The attraction, the outings, the dates? Bernie and his relationship with Jane, a father figure? Falling in love? The relationship? The wedding? The interference from Ruth Fine? Her Jewish background, the Jewish mother, demanding Jewish things? Her blunt talk at the table and her apologies? Insensitivity? Her reconciling herself to Bernie getting married?

7. Liz, her character, her skill as a schoolteacher, the children liking her, her friend at school? Her love for Bernie? Telling Jane that her father was dead after he disappeared from their lives? His reappearance, wanting money, the decision, against the advice of the lawyer, to give him money? Liz and her illness after giving birth, the joy of the baby, her chemotherapy, losing her hair, Ruth offering the wig? Her growing worse, resigned to her death? Writing the letters? The sadness of her death?

8. Bernie, his finding it hard to cope with Liz’s death? His care for Molly and the baby? The intrusion by Chandler? His wanting more money? Custody?

9. The lawyer, standing by Bernie, his stern advice, especially about the money? Going to court? The reactions of the judge, his favouring the father and allowing him visiting rights?

10. Chandler, irresponsible, wanting to be an actor, doing voice-over? Drug dealing? His approaches to Bernie, Bernie and his hostility? The reaction in court, the outbursts? The decision of the judge?

11. Jane, ill, going to the doctor, the encounter with Molly? Bernie and the attraction to Molly? Jane and her hostility – especially during the meal and praising her own mother? Molly’s ability to handle the situation? The relationship? Molly and her fall, coming to the house for treating Jane? Molly and her thinking that she should keep her distance?

12. The court case, the decision for Scott, his taking Jane out, going to Mexico, the abduction, the stance of the legal system? The private detective? The discovery of Scott, his dealings, the pretence, taking Jane back? Chandler and his appeal in court? The irony of his being tracked by the FBI? His arrest in the court?

13. The happy ending, Jane and Bernie being able to persuade her to accept Molly, her reading of her mother’s letter? Ruth and her visit, the usual faux pas, yet the acceptance, her helping Jane to accept Molly and the new family situation? Bernie and his finally being able to adopt Jane?

14. The popularity of this kind of material for popular relaxation and entertainment?