THE WOO WOO KID

US, 1987, 94 minutes, Colour.
Patrick Dempsey, Talia Balsam, Beverley D'Angelo, Michael Constantine.
Directed by Phil Alden Robinson.

The Woo Woo Kid is an unusual title for a comedy written and directed by Phil Alden Robinson. it is a star vehicle for Patrick Dempsey who made an impact in Can't Buy Me Love as well as A Fighting Chance. His leading ladies are Talia Balsam and Beverly D'Angelo.

The film is allegedly based on a true story, of a precocious teenager who, in fuel, elopes with two older women. The story might sound somewhat prurient or a variation on the 80s teenager films. However, it is quite different ? and is quite a warm-hearted comedy, American style. The atmosphere of the '40s is recreated, the war, the war effort, there is also a strong musical score of big band music. The film is, in many ways, inconsequential, but, on the other hand, it portrays its characters with some delight and entertainment.

Robinson was to have later success with Field of Dreams, Sneakers and The Sum of All Fears.

1. Enjoyable human comedy?

2. The title, based on a true story with a touch of weirdness! The voiceover and its authenticity? The 57 year-old and his memories? The comments of a 15-year-old boy of 1944?

3. The atmosphere of the '40s, California, the war? Homes and schools, hotels, jails, factories? A strong period flavour?

4. The decor, clothes, music and the big bands?

5. The introduction, the atmosphere of the war, the black and white photography and the newsreels, the world situation, the comment by Sonny on the values of the time, the standards?

6. The focus on Sunny, his relationship wit his morose father and his vague mother? His measuring his height and his rather making him lick the wall, his mother's putting him an a stand? Literally in the doghouse? His parents and their vagueness? Their interaction with their son? Their strong surprise at his behaviour, the reporters and the police coming, his father waking up and trying to save him from the police, his mother's behaviour in court?

7. Sonny and his age, his behaviour at school, his devices for appearing sick, moving with the older boys, getting them gas, the encounter with Judy, finding her nice at the party, her writing the letter for him for school, her sad story with her husband, his sneaking out to see her, the party and having her alone, her husband bashing her and Sonny's reaction, the plan for eloping, their getting away, Sonny getting the police to arrest her husband for the draft, the trip?

8. The celebrant's refusing the marriage, the old man marrying them, the romance at the diner, the night in the hotel, the pressure on then from the other couple, getting the bus, wiring home for money, Denver and the arrest?

9. Judy and Sonny in jail, the court, the reporters, the build-up and the reputation? The interviews with each?

10. Judy as a pleasant young woman, her age, living with her de facto and his brutal attitudes, her two children with her mother? The parties, the relationship with Sonny? Helping his, being bashed, the decision to separate? Eloping? her happiness, the interviews, her being charged with kidnapping? the separation? Her disappearance? Listening to the radio about his eloping with Francine?


11. The decisions about Sonny, going to work, the factory, Boarding with Mrs Marver and her snooping, interference? Francine and her jokes, leading Mrs Marver on? Attraction towards Sonny? the buying of the dress? Waling and discussing their lives? Her husband overseas? The decision to elope? Going to Paradis? The sexual encounter?

12. Sonny and the paper, deciding to give himself, the Sheriff's disbelief, being put in the hut, the woman looking after him? Interviews? Francine and the interviews? Her husband at war and his reaction? His return? Her wearing Sonny's dress? The attitude of the judges in each case towards Sonny?

13. His arrest, going to court, with his father, escaping from home? Going to the cinema? the encounter with Wendy, telling his story, her being his own age, marrying in three weeks and living happily ever after?

14. A film of nostalgia, innocence and experience?