IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES
US, 1984, 112 minutes, Colour.
Ryan O'Neal, Shelley Long, Drew Barrymore, Sam Wanamaker, Allan Garfield, Sharon Stone.
Directed by Charles Shyer.
Irreconcilable Differences is a pleasing romantic comedy - with a sting. It is in the tradition of Hollywood screwball comedies, eccentric leads with eccentric behaviour. However, it is also in the tradition of romances and soap operas, especially those which focus on divorce proceedings. The difference this time is that a little girl is divorcing her parents.
The film has a lot of 'in' cinema jokes and to that extent appears somewhat flip. However, underlying the Hollywood surface there are serious issues. Ryan O'Neal is pleasant as the hero. Shelley Long is excellent as the mother. Young Drew Barrymore holds her own with the adult cast.
A thoughtful comedy for the popular audience.
1. Entertaining domestic comedy? A piece of Americana? The tradition of the screwball romantic comedies? Of love stories and soap operas? The influence of each trend?
2. The stars and their styles? Hollywood gloss and glamour? Universal appeal?
3. Americana: the road sequences, California, California ordinary and California Hollywood? Wealth, success, social climbing? The world of movie-making? The world of best-sellerdom? The courts? The range of songs, especially those establishing the 170s? The final song - Frank Sinatra-style?
4. The title and its irony? The opening with the lawyer discussing divorce and the revelation that Casey wanted to divorce her parents? The phrase as related to husband and wife, child and parents? The prospect of the divorce proceedings results? The comic touch, the serious touch?
5. The flashback structure, audiences getting to know the couple, Casey? Hopes? The actors changing over a ten-year period, their change in lifestyle, successes and failures?
6. The film buff background: references to other films, the thesis on Ernst Lubitsch, Albert's memory and knowledge, the humour of watching An Affair to Remember with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr dubbed in Spanish, Father Knows Best - and as fantasised by Casey? The world of film-making, television, writing, editing? The on-location sequences for the filming of Atlanta?
7. The American dream - the typical couple, Albert and his study, hitchhiking, the humour of the mud and the rain, his plea to Lucy, their talk, sharing? Lucy's fiance and his overbearing nature, Navy background, tapes? Her short stories? Their falling in love? Being caught at the motel? Being accosted? The decisions made? Marriage, the birth of Casey?
8. Their early domestic life, hopes and ambitions, the birth of Casey, an atmosphere of sharing? Albert as a good teacher?
9. The opportunity with Kessler? The social, the evening, the discussion about the film? The offer of the job, change of 7ifestyle, Lucy and Albert discussing it, Lucy’s reluctance, Casey's almost being excluded? Lucy's fears - and their fulfilment? Albert's hope to direct a film, his writing block, Lucy's ideas, their sharing, the collage of their continuing collaboration? Success, excitement? Albert, money and fame? Lucy and her jealousy?
10. Their success with the film, Gabrielle? The need for a star? Albert's encounter with Blake Chandler - the mid-life crisis? Her work at the hot-dog cafe, Albert's infatuation, bringing Blake home? Casey's humorous reaction to her and dislike? Her moving in, Lucy’s alienation? Blake’s carry-on? Lucy accepting her after she came into the bedroom to express her gratitude? The Taking of Atlanta? David withdrawing the money, Albert's perfectionism, Blake’s tantrums on the set, the huge crowds, the changing of the clothes, the terrible songs? The huge failure? The break-up of the marriage? Albert's infatuation, Lucy's anger?
11. The separation and the hurt, Albert's glamorous life and its changing? Lucy’s frumpy lifestyle? Love, hate? Casey caught between the two?
12. Casey being ignored? Being petted by her father but his not talking to her? Her mother's care for her but using her as a confidante? A butt for her parents? The reliance on Maria? Speaking in Spanish, coping? Moving from hone to home? Her seeing through Blake? The New Year's party? Each parent seeking advice? Her running away? Growing desperate - seeing the final fight on the lawn? Consulting the lawyer? Divorcing her parents? Handling the court interrogations? Casey as the blend of the cute and the wise?
13. Lucy going downhill, becoming fat? Her decision to write? Her success, her odd entourage, the busy household, her becoming No.1 on the bestseller list, ignoring Casey, her world of fashion, TV shows, becoming more callous? Not realising Casey had run away?
14. Albert and the failure of Atlanta, going downhill, selling his own house to his wife, the apartment lifestyle, desperate with Casey?
15. Casey's absence, their searching for her, the night together, his asking for a job, their clash?
16. Their behaviour in court? The questions by the advocate? The attitude of the judge? The court verdict - what future?
17. The final sequences - a possible reconciliation?
18. The world of adults and children? Adult and childish behaviour? Hopes, failures, hurt? Adults being wilful? Making children act in an adult way? Serious themes via comedy?
