LISTEN TO ME
US, 1989, 107 minutes, Colour.
Kirk Cameron, Jami Gertz, Roy Scheider, Anthony Zerbe, Christopher Atkins, Quinn Cummings, Christopher Rydell
Directed by Douglas Day Stewart.
Listen to Me is a youth film which wears its heart on its sleeve. It is very emotional and was strongly criticised by reviewers for being too feeling, trivialising its subject. However, its aim is to entertain younger audiences and to involve them with the characters and the issues. This is particularly the case for the late '80s when the debating topic was the Supreme Count's consideration of the pro-abortion decision, Roe versus Wade. The film plays somewhat safe in giving various arguments for both sides of the case.
The film is about debating in universities, competitiveness - and it is very much a Rocky of the academic debating circuity
Kirk Cameron (Like Father, Like Son and a popular TV personality) is smilingly ingenuous as the scholarship holder from Oklahoma. Jami Gertz (Lost Boys, Quicksilver, Less than Zero) is sombre as the scholarship winner from Chicago. Tim Quill is all toothy grin, like the Kennedys, as the senator's son. Roy Scheider is the debating coach.
The film was written and directed by Douglas Day Stewart, who wrote Blue Lagoon and Officer and a Gentleman and who wrote and directed Thief of Hearts.
1. Youth film? The world of university and debating? Adolescent hopes? A Rocky of the debating circuit?
2. The background of Oklahoma, California, New York and the strong use of locations? Musical score, the songs, title song?
3. Reality and unreality of the characters and situations? Their dialogue? heightened for emotional purposes and identification? Heart on sleeve? The impact of this kind of treatment on more serious and intellectual audiences?
4. The portrait of Tucker, relationship with his father, leaving home, looking at the reform school, his background? Gaining the scholarship, arrival at the university and asking people, given the run-around, seeing Monica, at work with her? His boasts and his hopes?
5. Monica and her farewell, Chicago, the family, her arrival, work?
6. Gar and his popularity, the car, many friends, in the room with the girl, sharing with Tucker? His love of writing, the play? His fear of his father? The expectations that he go into politics?
7. The introduction to debate: Charlie and his reputation, watching the students perform, Senator McKellar's presence, the dean of the university and the need for funding? Education, scholarships? The auditions and the varying styles of the speakers? Tucker and his giving his autobiography? The introduction to Jamie and her style, to Donna? Introduction to Bruce? The debate and the focus on sexuality? The mock style? The opposition and their primness?
8. The friendship between Tucker and Monica? Her resisting him? Thanking him for his attentions? Their clashes? Monica frightened? Tucker and his friendship with Gar, the girls and the fountain?
9. Car and his friendship with Charlie, bringing the play and getting Charlie to read it, Charlie wanting him to make his own decisions? Inviting Tucker and Monica home for Christmas? Driving the car?, Meeting the family? The affluent style, the beautiful beach home? Gar and his talks with his father, letting him know that he wanted to be out of politics and writing plays? His father's pressure and reaction, invoking the family tradition?
10. The debates: the initial debate about sexuality and promiscuity? Competitiveness? Debating styles and skills, Tucker and Monica disappointed in having to work together? Abortion as the topic for research? The 1980s background of the Supreme Court reconsidering the Roe v Wade decision? The various stances, views ? both sides presented for this kind of film? The build-up to the final debate (and the audience feeling it should support Tucker and Monica, the Rocky atmosphere)? Charlie and his classes, his long story about his mother's abortion and the rapt attention of the group? The arguments used in the debate, the finale against Harvard? Harvard and its prestige and skills? Charlie's advice for Tucker and Monica to find what was in themselves? Monica's story about the girl and the abortion and its being true? The emotional argument? Tucker and the personal style of his final appeal? The audience response, the decision of the five Justices and the underdogs winning?
11. Bruce and Donna, Donna and her handicap, Charlie and his initial attitudes, her response? Involved in debate? Socials, Donna's bitterness? Bruce and his awkwardness, pursuing Donna? Carrying her to dance? At the final debate?
12. Gar and hit father, his father's harshness, his success in the debate, going dancing, talking to Monica, wanting sympathy, drinking, in the room, the attack? Monica's fears? Tucker arriving, the fight with Gar, mutual accusations of use? Car saving Tucker's life? The impact of his death? The effect on each, on Charlie, on the father?
13. Charlie and his final decisions, after Gar's death, his confrontation of the dean?
14. Tucker, the win, wandering New York, his love for Monica, and lifting cars? The return, seeing Gar, the fight? Tucker and Monica and their decision to debate? The effect on Tucker of Monica's story?
15. Their futures? Glossy and emotional style, heart on sleeve? Stances on values?
