CUSTODY OF THE HEART

US, 2000, 95 minutes, Colour.
Lorraine Bracco, Martin Donovan, Dennis Boutsikaris, Sheila Mc Carthy.
Directed by David Hugh Jones.

Custody of the Heart was written by playwright Marsha Norman (Night Mother). It is a woman's perspective on family custody with a perspective at the beginning of the 21st century where the man has lost his job, is unemployed, looks after the family and the mother works and supports the family. The screenplay shows this devastating effect on the father who is unable to cope, is low in self-esteem, finds himself stifled in comparison with his successful wife. When he decides to sue for divorce, he arranges a situation where the wife is suddenly confronted with the writ, asked to vacate the house instantly and to surrender custody of the children.

The film is humane, showing the various angles on the situation, the frustration and depression of the husband and father, the success of the wife who does not understand what has happened to her and is very good with her children, the effect on the children, especially the boy who blames his father and runs away, accusing him of abuse. The plot is further complicated by the last illness of the wife's mother who dies at a crucial time in the court proceedings.

Each of the protagonists has a friend who can advise, the partner in the business firm with the wife and a sensitive neighbour. Both these characters are able to give sound perspectives, not just easy platitudes. The film has a partially happy ending, not the reunion of husband and wife, but an admission of the truth on either side with better plans for joint custody. In this way, the film is positive when facing so many of the problems of marriage and family.

The film is a star vehicle for Lorraine Bracco (a strong performer - Sea of Love, Someone to Watch Over Me as well as her significant role in The Sopranos). The film also stars Martin Donovan, a strong character actor, especially in Hal Hartley's films, always giving the impression of either depression or moroseness.

The film is worth seeing and worth discussing.

1. Impact of the film? For the television audience? The impact on men, on women, on families? Family at the beginning of the 21st century?

2. The title, the focus on custody, the custody battles, the role of the law, mediators? Children and custody? Head and heart?

3. The Boston settings, home, workplace? Seattle hospitals, shops? The lighthouse and the coast? The musical score?

4. The opening situation: the parents watching the basketball game, mother, father, two children? The father coaching, the mother cheering? The tensions at home? The decision-making, the father looking after the children, the mother at work? His moroseness, wanting to talk, her being named Woman of the Year, her having to go to Seattle, her ill mother? Not finding the opportunity to talk?

5. Clare and her going to Seattle, the opening of the business, her relationship with Brodie, his support in the business? The speeches? Her relationship with her sister, her sister staying in Seattle and looking after her mother? The tension between the two? Her visiting her mother, their discussions? The request that she stay for two weeks? Her finding it difficult to stay, going home?

6. Her return home, Dennis's attitude, the serving of the writ, her anger, not understanding, his calling the police and accusing her of violence? Her having to move out, going to discuss with Dennis, calling the lawyer, his advice, the phone contact with the children? Her pretending that she was still in Seattle? The effect on her, her trying to make contact, the discussions with the lawyer and his advice about the restrictions of the law? The hearing before the judge, his strictness, belief in the family, women not working, not having time, his sympathetic attitude towards Dennis, Dennis's lawyer, nomination of a mediator? Her anger? The decision to abide by the law, the lawyer's advice for her to fight the case?

7. The impact on Clare, her consultations with the lawyer? The visitation rights, with the children, their happiness to see her, telling them the truth? Their reaction? Their father's shock? Johnny and his running away, Clare being called, his accusation of his father for abuse, his explaining to the police that this was not true, his anger with his father?

8. The news of Clare's mother's death, her having to go? The discussions about the funeral, the children wanting to go? Her decision to invite Dennis? His going, a greater sense of peace, in the home of Rona, the discussions, his explanations to Clare, his apology? Her sensitivity, her response? Going to the mediator, his not wanting any money from her and the company, her giving him the house? The explanation to the children of the joint custody and how they would handle it? The possibilities for some kind of future?

9. Brodie, his own divorce, his support of Clare, the success of the firm? His friendship with Dennis, Dennis cutting him off, their discussions? The final discussion in the hotel and Brodie being able to explain things to Dennis, Dennis confessing about his sense of failure? Enabling him to confess this sense of failure to Clare?

10. Alice, neighbours, friendship with the family, their coming to dinner when Dennis had said that no visitors come on school nights? Attacking Clare for doing whatever she liked after agreements? Clare and her ability to talk to Alice, Alice and her bluntness in telling the truth? Support of Clare?

11. The lawyer, his sound advice, understanding of the law? The contrast with Dennis's lawyer, her being out to get Clare at any cost, even challenging whether Clare's mother had died? The effect on Dennis and his not communicating with her?

12. The children, their age, experience, home life, sudden absence of their mother, drastic reactions? The bonds, especially through Nana's death? A future?

13. The impact of this kind of story, a sense of realism - regret at marriage breakdown, hope for some kind of reconciliation, or at least justice and care for the children?