FOR KEEPS
US, 1988, 98 minutes, Colour.
Molly Ringwald, Randall Batinkoff, Kenneth Mars.
Directed by John G.Avildsen.
For Keeps is an interesting and enjoyable vehicle for young star Molly Ringwald (Pretty in Pink, Breakfast Club, Fresh Horses).
The screenplay was written by Tim Kazurinsky and Denise Mc Clue who wrote the screenplay from David Mamet's play, About Last Night. The film has a good supporting cast with Randall Batinkoff attractive as Stan and Kenneth Mars and Conchata Ferrall as his parents. Miriam Flynn also has a good role as Molly Ringwald's mother.
The film raises the question of sexuality, relationships, contraception, abortion, teenage pregnancies, as well as coping with a child and studies and careers. The film was directed by John G. Avildsen, whose career ranges from the provocative Joe to his Oscar for Rocky and the Karate Kid films.
1.Teenage film? Sexuality, relationships, family, marriage? Parenthood? Coping?
2.The Wisconsin settings, the suburbs, homes, shops, school? Ordinary American settings? The musical score, the songs, the use of `Be My Baby'?
3.The title, the credits and the focus on pregnancy?
4.The portrait of Darcy: the teenager, her interview for the paper, her writing? Relationship with her mother, the absent father? Leila covering for her? The sexual relationship with Stan, loving him, hopes? The discovery of the pregnancy, the tests with Leila, telling Stan? Talking abortion with the students? The children, the talk about abortion, the Thanksgiving dinner, her blurting out the news? Reactions from parents and pressure? Her mother as her friend, her wanting her as a mother? The French style and culture, imposition on Darcy? Her mother's memory of her father, anti-men, expecting them to leave? The pressure for the abortion? Going to the clinic? Not having the abortion? Christmas, the gifts and the revelation about the pregnancy? Going through with the pregnancy, her love for Stan, the old apartment, renting it, doing it up? Calculating money needs? Stan's proposal, the marriage ceremony - and the Asian pronunciation and the humorous touch? Jobs, studying and the discussion with the teacher, night school? Stan and his hard work? The birth, the question of the name, tired, fearing the pain? Listless after the birth, watching television? The prowler, picking up the baby and protection? Stan's father and his reconciliation? Writing the story? Care of the baby, the illness, her mother paying? Growing tensions, Stan, going out, drinking? Moving in with her mother, her mother's pressures and talk? The scholarship and the girl telling her the truth, her plan, Chris's help, the phone call? Pressuring Stan for an annulment? Her own graduation, his pounding on the door, her giving in? Her success with the story, possibility of a scholarship? Genuinely in love with Stan? The bond with the daughter?
5.Stan as a nice young man, in love with Darcy, the sexual encounter, the number of times, the discussion about the pill? Taking responsibility? The meal, pressure from his father, the scholarship for CalTech? His leaving home, getting the job in the shoe shop, the girl and her provocation, his getting alternate jobs, working hard, tired? Getting the scholarship but refusing it? The decision to marry, the ceremony? The birth of the baby, his care and love? Tired, refusing his father's help, going out, drinking? Moving in with Darcy's mother, exasperated by her? The comedy of his pretending about the sex? Ousted, the question of the annulment? Chris and his help, going to CalTech? Reconciliation with his father? The graduation, the reconciliation?
6.Darcy's mother, her experience, anti-men, wanting to be her daughter's friend? French style and meals? The pressure for the abortion? Adoption, seeing her grandchild and changing her mind? Helping with money, letting them move into the house, wanting to get rid of Stan? The graduation, her telling Stan where Darcy was? Darcy's ultimatum about loving them all or none?
7.Stan's parents, their ordinary life, the children, friendship? The pressure about CalTech? The abortion or not? The father disowning his son, the mattress, prowling around the apartment? The reconciliation?
8.Leila and her friendship with Darcy, helping her, babysitting? Chris and his help with the scholarship? His bond with Stan?
9.The presentation of the jobs, serving the food, the customers? The shoe shop? The roofing?
10.How real were the characters and the situations? How well perceived? Love and sexuality? Teenage experience and inexperience? Marriage, sacrifice? Abortion and pro-life? The bond of children? The effect on grandparents? Work, coping? Prospects?
