WELCOME TO L.A.

US, 1976, 106 minutes, Colour.
Keith Carradine, Sally Kellerman, Geraldine Chaplin, Harvey Keitel.
Directed by Alan Rudolph

Writer-director Alan Rudolph wrote for Robert Altman, who has produced Rudolph's first film and employed many stars of his own films - with some excellent acting by Keith Carradine, Geraldine Chaplin, Harvey Keitel, Sally Kellerman, Sissy Spacek, Lauren Hutton, Viveca Lindfors. Reminiscent of Nashville in structure, it has nine characters intertwining in the odd atmosphere of the record business of Los Angeles. However, these characters are depressing - successful yet self-defeating, tuning into their own circle in love/hate - with final glimpses of some hope. Clever, wittily zany and perceptive at times, its portrayal of futility is not as engrossing as it might be and it lacks appeal for a wide audience.

1. The overall impact of the film? Its lack of popular appeal? Its critical acclaim? How could it be classified, described? Its potential audience ~ America4 international? A successful film?

2. The work of the film-makers - the influence of Robert Altman and his styles of writing, directing, his acting group? Alan Rudolph and his working with Altman and being influenced by him? Using some of his style? His direction of the acting group? The aim of the film, areas of interest? Visual and audio style? The viewpoint on America, Los Angeles, human nature? The sharpness of observation? The satiric touch?

3. The tone of the title, visitors and Los Angeles and their view? The reputation of Los Angeles and its impact on Americans, international audiences? Expectations of a film about Los Angeles? Its status as a city, its style, Southern California, largeness, ugliness? The city of 'one night stands'? A crowded city where people can be lonely? How typical of the United States? People, homes, jobs, the built up city, roads and cars? The background of show business, corporations, wealth?

4. The importance of the music - its background., use? Carroll and his songs? Reputation as a songwriter, recordings? The lyrics? Carroll's ability as a singer? His personal attitudes embodied in the lyrics of the songs ~ the songs and their book form, poetic style? The use of the lyrics throughout the film., as chorus., repetition? Music as part of the texture of the film? Used symbolically?

5. The importance of the structure and the hero's return, his welcome to L.A.? Carroll as somewhat alien, the nature of the homecoming, a new look at Los Angeles, the people, himself? People revolving around him? His wandering the city? Masculine friendships? Relationship with his father, love and hate? The relationships with the women – friendship, sex, rivalry? The interaction of the characters and their pairings? Carroll and his need for self-direction. self-identity? His commitment or lack of it?

6. The choice of Keith Carradine to play Carroll - his particular style, manner? A typical American? His years in Britain - accent, dress? Music? His loneliness, sense of alienation and isolation, his callousness? His surface feelings, lack of feeling, depth? His manner of coping? Clashes? Sexual relationships? The music and his stepping in for success? A contemporary American man in search of self identity?

7. His relationship with his father, his father's success? Carl and his lifestyle, wealth? Welcoming his family, clashing with his son? Trying to unite the family? His relationship with Nona?

8. The world of men - work. ambition. isolation, marriage, sexual relationships?

9. The world of women - the variety of women observed in the film, careers, how? Their similarities, differences? Potential for success, failure, madness?

10. The portrait of the Goodes: Anne and her personality, brightness of style, a career woman, her skill with the apartment, the brittleness of her marriage? Her relationship with Carroll and attempts at seduction? Her relationship with Ken and their encounter on the one day? A portrait of an American woman? Jack and his lack of relationship to her? His work? Attitudes towards sex especially in relationship to Linda? His reaction to paying Linda? The failure of a marriage?

11. The picture of Linda - young, at work, provocative and semi-nude, her skill at her work and lack of skill, her getting the sack, being manipulated by Anne? Being handed over to Carroll? The comparison of her relationship with Jack, with Ken? The generation clash with Anne?

12. Ken and Karen and their marriage? Ken and his personality, obsessions, work? Karen and her hindering him? Ken and his ambition for promotion, success? His liaison with Anne? His coldness towards Karen? Karen in herself, the repercussions of the failed marriage, the irony of her travelling in the taxi, her taping her thoughts? The ironic content of her thoughts and their revelation of themes? The encounter with Carroll, the discussion about Garbo? Carroll's support of her? The possibility of a reconciliation?

13. Susan Moore as the talented agent, the older woman, her relationship with Carroll? Business, personal? Her trying to do her best for him? His rejection of her, her jealousy and bitchiness? Her being instrumental in his success even though she would have liked his failure?

14. Eric Wood and his recording the music, his singing capacities, the breaking of the contract? His being in some ways an alter-ego of Carroll?

15. Jeanette Ross and her work for Carl, the liaison with Carroll - what did it mean for both of them?

16. The film as an art film? Use of symbolism, mystery? Realism, contrived presentation? The audience involved with its characters? The aesthetic patterns of inter-relationships and encounters? A satisfying cinema experience?