WASHINGTON MISTRESS
US, 1982, 100 minutes, Colour.
Lucie Arnaz, Richard Jordan, Tony Bill, Michael Reynolds, Pat Hingle.
Directed by Peter Levin.
Washington Mistress is a romantic drama set in the capital of the United States. it focuses on an ambitious politician, his brittle marriage, his relationship with an efficient secretary and their affair. The film focuses on the woman, her relationship with the politician, the birth of her daughter, having to take second place in the politician's life. The film focuses sympathetically on her as a person, on her relationship, on her as a mother, on her decision-making. Lucie Arnaz is quite effective in the central role. She is well-matched by Richard Jordan as the ambitious politician, Tony Bill as his intermediary and Pat Hingle a senator. The film has local colour - and is probably a true story that dramatises the experiences of many people in political circles and in Washington.
1. Interesting and entertaining telemovie? Romance? Soap opera style? Authentic7
2. Washington locations? American atmosphere? Politics? Business? American society? Musical score?
3. The title and its directness? The focus on Maggie? Her background, coming to Washington, working for Senator Clayton? Her enthusiasm for her work? Typical for this kind of career woman? The encounter with Michael Reynolds? Fascination? His pursuit of her? Her falling in love with him? Her knowing his marital situation? Hoping he would leave his wife? Her being led to believe that this would happen? Their sharing together? His setting her up? Social occasions? Covering up? Alan as go between? His attitude towards Maggie? Her attitudes towards him? The importance of her pregnancy?
4. The birth of Jennifer, her bringing her up? her dependence on her father, his approval and disapproval? Support? her own life, her apartment? her encounters with Caroline? Her knowing that Michael would not leave his wife? Her having to make a decision? Her leaving the walking out? Asserting her independence?
5. The young and ambitious politician? His relationship with his wife and family? His being on the lookout for someone like Maggie? Career, abilities? The dates with Maggie, the in tensity of their relationship? The place of a mistress? The treatment of the mistress by the politician? her pregnancy, the birth of Jennifer? His strengths and his weaknesses? Using Alan? His inability to move away? The dominance of his wife? His dependence on her?
6. Senator Clayton, The old hand in Washington, his hopes, work, relationship with Maggie, advice?
7. Alan and his status, go-between, attitudes towards Maggie, getting to know her, doing Michael's odd jobs, the cover man? His disillusionment? Leaving? Influence on Maggie?
8. The structure of the film with the opening and the seeming happy family, the flashbacks and the explanation of the affair, Maggie's decisions?
9. An interesting and thoughtful romance? Mirroring reality?
