SEVEN MINUTES IN HEAVEN

US, 1986, 90 minutes, Colour.
Jennifer Connolly, Byron Thames, Maddie Corman.
Directed by Linda Fefeman.

Seven Minutes in Heaven is yet another film about American teenagers from the '80s. As usual, there are family problems, ambitions, preoccupations with sex.

Byron Temms is the central character (84 Charlie Mopic, Blame It On The Night). Jennifer Connelly is a more serious heroine. Maddie Corman makes an impression as Polly.

The screenplay, co-written by women, focuses on the girls, their characters, their interests, preoccupations and crises.

No better, no worse than so many of its kind.

1. The popularity of the youth film during the '80s? Portrait of American youth? Parallels in other countries?

2. The Ohio settings, the town, school, homes? Visits to Washington and New York? Musical score and songs?

3. The title, the preoccupation with sex, teenagers and their attitudes, discoveries, mistakes?

4. The focus on Natalie: her family, their being away? Her friendship with Jeff, taking him in, the impression around the school? People talking about her? The interview with the counsellor and his concern? Friendship with Polly, their discussions, about sex? The attraction to Casey and dating him? Disappointment with him? The various problems at school, the various problems with relationships? The clashes with Polly? Sharing with Jeff? The build-up to the visit to Washington, meeting the vice-president, the senator, the clash with him about politics? The guide and his advances, her refusal? Going back home? Resolving the questions about Jeff? Reconciliation with Polly?

5. Polly, sex talk, preoccupation with boys, low self-image, wanting to be attractive? The boys and their interest? With Casey? Jealous of Natalie? Talking with Jeff, being comfortable with him? Running away to New York, the ball-players? Meeting Bill, his getting her away from the police, taking her home, making her ring her parents, talking as an adult? The effect on her, reconciliation with Natalie, return home?

6. Jeff, the clash with his stepfather, with his mother? Running away, staying with Natalie? The school counsellor and his questions and the same answers as Natalie? Comfortable with her? With Polly? Sexual experimentation - but not following through? Clashes with his mother and refusal to go home? Meeting with his stepfather? In bed, Natalie's father, the confusion, the resolution? Polly's absence? His future?

7. Casey, the boys in the school? Friendships? Sex, dating, disappointing girls?

8. Bill, photography, friendly with Polly, the police, the apartment, frank talking, getting her to ring home, the good effect on her?

9. The sketch of the parents, Jeff's mother, the absent father, the stepfather and the clashes? Trying to get him home? The clashes about attention and selfishness? Natalie's father and his return? Polly's parents, the rest of the family? Their concern at her absence?

10. The counsellor, his interrogating of Natalie and Jeff, their similar answers?

11. How true a picture of American teenagers? Teenagers in general? Attitudes, beliefs, struggles, resolutions?