THE BETTY FORD STORY

US, 1987, 96 minutes, Colour.
Gena Rowlands, Josef Sommer.
Directed by David Greene.

The Betty Ford Story is based on the former first lady's autobiography. It is a candid look at her problems, of prescription pill addiction and alcoholism. It presents a generous and genial portrait of her husband, his relationship with Nixon, his Presidency and campaign as well as of her family.

Gena Rowlands, a striking strong actress in many of her husband, John Cassavetes' films as well as many telemovies won an Emmy for her portrayal of Betty Ford. Josef Somer has a good role as Gerald Ford. There is a good supporting cast portraying the family. The film opens with Betty Rord being committed to a drug and alcohol rehabilitant centre. There are flashbacks to 1974, the Watergate scandal, her husbands' presidency, the campaign in 1976, election of Carter, the pressures on herself, her arthritis and dependence on drugs, her alcoholism the aftermath of her husband's non re-election. The film also shows some of the therapy for the addiction and ends with a tribute to Betty Ford and the centre which she established in the early 80s and which has done so much for rehabilitant of addicted people.

The film is glossily made for the wide television audience and could have some impact on the audiences, especially American, and those who experience a similar problems. The sequences of the family confronting their mother about her addiction are quite forthright and powerful.

1. Interesting and entertaining telemovie? Audience knowledge of Betty Ford, her husband, the Watergate years? Her own experience with addictions and her founding of the institute for rehabilitation?

2. The period from 1974 to 1976 in American politics? Washington, in the campaign? California? The atmosphere of the period?

3. The focus on Betty Ford, her autobiography, her perspective on herself and her family? Accuracy, sympathy for the family, direct focus on herself and honesty?

4. Gena Rowlands portrait of Betty Ford: arriving at the centre, her resistance, abstract, wanting a room by herself, allowing herself to join the other addicts? Her denials? The flashbacks and the four years of her life: her marriage, children? The Watergate scandal, realising the consequences that Ford was to become president? Her acceptance of being First Lady? Her ordinariness, going to Washington, overwhelmed by the White House, the old traditions, especially separate bedrooms and her breaking through these? Her friendship with the staff? Her press secretary and co-ordinator? Interviews with the press? nervousness, speaking frankly? The 60 Minutes interview and her comments on morality? reaction, support? Her becoming popular? Hosting dinners? Her pain and arthritis, her need to get prescription pills, the need for stronger pills? Relying on these? Her drinking? Care for her husband, his being on the road? The clash about his decision to run again? Her acceptance? On the road, campaigning, the brave front, talks? Her reactions against her awkwardness, wanting to say sensible things especially when tricked by the press? Her moving with her children? The build-up to the election night, the defeat? The aftermath of the election, relaxing, aching and pain, the pills, drinking, abstract, passing out? Colorado, the Christmas gifts? Lounging around the house? Susan and the confrontation and her angry response? The whole family assembling, the brutal but necessarily frank statements about their love for her and her alcoholism? Her refusal to accept this, the breakdown? Her going to the centre, the sessions, her denial, interviews? Interactions with others ? and realizing their self deception? Building up to her going home? Facing the truth, reconciliation with the family? The foundation and turning the soil for the new building? Americans identifying with her? The success and help of others through her own suffering?

5. Gerald Ford, the public image, silent vice-president? his being deceived by Nixon? Efficiently at work, enjoying the travel? The visit by Alexander Haig? Breaking it to Betty? His becoming President? The importance of the parting of Nixon? and his reasons, public opinion? The decision to run again despite Betty's disapproval? The campaigns? His love for travelling? The defeat and his acceptance? His continuing to travel and ignoring Betty's problem? Talking with his children? The final confrontation, his facing the truth? An interesting portrait of a little know president, and a brief presidency?

6. The portrait of the children, ordinary Americans, opportunities, affluence, success? The relationship with their parents? The concern about their mothers' taking of pills? Prescriptions, alcoholism? Campaigning, after the defeat? Susan and her particular concern? The Thanksgiving dinner and its being ruined? The visit, the brutal truth from all the children, their own stories, visiting their mother? Having a drink being more preferable to being with her children? The honesty, the love? The payoff with their Mother's rehabilitation?

7. Background of American politics, the glimpses of Nixon, Watergate scandal, lies, General Haig? The role of the vice president? Campaigns, political pressure? the nature of campaigns? The Fords' particularly religious stance? Discussions in bed about the campaign? Security outside the White House? Press secretaries? Decorum, protocol? The media and the reaction of the media to public figures?

8. Betty Ford and her press releases? the importance of her mastectomy, the role of the president going to meetings to the hospital? The psychological consequences of the mastectomy? Her press release about her addiction? Her aims to help people to appreciate illness and do something about it?