A WALK IN THE SPRING RAIN

US, 1970, 98 minutes, Colour.
Ingrid Bergman, Anthony Quinn, Fritz Weaver.
Directed by Guy Green.

A Walk in the Spring Rain is a 1970's style 'woman's romance', the type of film that has been popular at all times. This one boasts its two stars and beautifully photographed scenery. While it is by no means outstanding, it yet raises a number of human issues worth discussing.

1. This was advertised as a woman's film. Do you agree? Why?

2. What was wrong with the heroine's marriage - was it just age and boredom or something more serious? She says that she had sacrificed a career for marriage and her husband's work.

3. Her daughter was as ambitious as her mother had been but was determined to succeed. How self-centred was the daughter? How did she 'use' her mother?

4. Contrast the world of the university with the world of the backwoods - accent. fist fights. work on the land. farms, egg squashing. etc. Where did the heroine feel at ease?

5. Was the heroine in love with the Anthony Quinn character or merely infatuated with him? How deep was her feeling?

6. Did the professor love his wife and understand her feelings?

7. Was the conflict in the heroine's mind well presented - e.g. going to the motel and shopping. dropping the vase. listening to her husband's book, meeting Quinn?

8. How well did the son's jealousy and death fit into the film? Why?

9. Did the heroine make the right decision? Why?

10. What is the point about ageing persons' right to life and being fulfilled - or. as the daughter says. have they had their chance and now ought to make way for their children to find fulfilment? Who was the more selfish in this film, mother or daughter?

11. One critic headed his comments,, "Grandma in love with Zorba the Hillbilly." Is this a just comment?