INDECENCY

US, 1992, 85 minutes, Colour.
Jennifer Beals, James Remar, Barbara Williams, Sammi Davis- Voss.
Directed by Marisa Silver.

Indecency sounds more sensational than this telemovie really is. Indecency is the name of a client for an advertising agency in Austin, Texas. We see some glimpses of their advertising campaign during the credits - and that is about all. Instead, it is a triangle story as well as a murder mystery.

Jennifer Beals is the earnest young executive who has come to work with her school friend, played by Barbara Williams. Barbara Williams is under a great deal of stress - but, early in the film, she is murdered by being thrown off a building. Suspects include her ex-husband, played by James Remar, her executive played by Sammi Davis- Voss, a cameraman who works in the firm as well as a director. When the explanation is given, it is rather obvious, the solution that might have been thought of first and then put away as too straightforward.

The film is easy entertainment of the undemanding kind, romance, glossy big business, some violence as well as murders.

1. The impact of the film? As entertainment, television movie, romance, big business, murder, mystery?

2. The Texas settings, the city of Austin, apartments, the company firm and its rooms, offices, studios? Musical score?

3. The title, the reference to the company, the reference to the behaviour of Mick and his treatment of his wife, the women?

4. The film as a murder mystery, the build-up of Marie's character, focusing on her clashes with Nia, the friendship and support for Ellie, the antagonism towards her ex-husband, Mick, the clashes with Chris? The suspects for her murder?

5. The character of Marie, the executive, her decision-making, her being on edge, her reaction to Mick's turning up, her contradicting Nia, her support of Ellie? Going home, the tension in the night, the murder? The false confession, the revelation of the drug dealer? The truth about Marie - and leaving the company to her ex-husband, not changing her will?

6. Ellie, her work with the commercials, friendship with Marie, schooldays, the reaction to her death? Looking over the photos? Suspicions of Mick, clashes with Nia? The discovery of their relationship? The police? Her investigations, finding the book, phoning Steve, the information about the drug-dealing, Mick following her, the relationship with him, his shooting Steve dead? At work, the preparation for the commercial, her going to find the equipment at Nia's, listening to the tape, discovering the truth, the clash and fight with Mick, his death? Her hearing the truth about him after she had told the truth about herself? The finale and Chris seeing her off?

7. Nia, work in the firm, jealousy of Ellie, the clashes with Marie? The discovery of the relationship with Mick, his note - and the reality of his committing the murder? The police, the truth about the relationship, the discussions with Ellie? Her saying she wasn't jealous of Ellie, taking the equipment, accusing Mick of forging the cheques, the taping of the interchange and her murder?

8. Mick, his arrival, the clash with Marie, the relationship with Nia, his going out and killing Marie? His following Ellie, wanting her to work, the relationship, the information about Steve, collaborating with the police, in the car when Steve threatened Ellie, killing him? Building up the firm, the revelation that he needed money, his two-timing Ellie with Nia, the same with Ellie and two-timing Nia? The taping of the finale? The confrontation with Ellie and his death?

9. The people in the firm, Chris and his temperament as director, Victor as cameraman and his taking the photos at Nia's insistence, the revelation about Mick?

10. The popular ingredients of this kind of romance, big business takeover, murder and mystery?