DUET FOR FOUR

Australia, 1982, 97 minutes, Colour.
Mike Preston, Wendy Hughes, Michael Pate, Diane Cilento, Gary Day, Warwick Comber, Sigrid Thornton, Arthur Dignam.
Directed by Tim Burstall.

Duet for Four is a difficult to fathom alternate title for David Williamson's play 'Partners'. The technical credits on the film are excellent. They give a watchable gloss to a rather soap opera kind of story. The screenplay is not one
of David Williamson's best - and can be compared with his early Stork, The Family Man, Peterson. Other Williamson films include The Removalists, Eliza Fraser, Don't Party and The Club. He also wrote the screenplay for Peter Weir's Gallipoli and The Year of Living Dangerously. This film is a Melbourne story, shows the business world and the threat of American takeover. There are some witty lines but the characters tend to be the stereotypes of the Melbourne society and business world. While it retains interest on the screen it is not especially memorable.

1. The significance of the title - to whom does it refer? The alternate title and the highlighting of the relationship between Ray and Terry?

2. The place of Tim Burstall in the Australian film industry of the '70s and ,805? His transferring David Williamson's plays and screenplays to the screen? His sympathy for Williamson's characters and dialogue, issues?

3. The place of David Williamson in the Australian industry? His pictures of contemporary life? Ironic and humorous dialogue? Ironic look at society? Sympathy and criticism? Australian identity? American influence? Integrity?

4. The relevance of the themes to Australian cities? Lifestyle, rat race, business and success? Marriage and love? Marital breakdown? The competitive world of the multinationals? Australians standing up to Americans? The particular local interest - wider interest?

5. How authentic the themes, characters? The picture of Melbourne society? Wealth, manners, expectations? Authentic characters - stereotypes with soap opera tones? The quality of the insight into characters, situations, business, relationships? The basic message tone at the end of the film?

6. The film's comments on the world of Australian business - the opening in the toy factory, the wealth of Australian industry, threats on the local markets, American interest and takeover? Preparing Al Giesman's itinerary and his response to it? Pandering to the American visitors? The Americans' proposals with strings attached? American- Australian relationships in terms of multinational influence? The temptation to defy - but the American hold? The stereotype of the loud American? Audiences being prepared for Al - his Australian background, his time in New York? America as the centre of the world? The response of Australians to loud assertive Americans? The hard sell and the demonstration of selling techniques? The emotional vocabulary? Al and his appearances and his encounter with Jackie? Sense of humiliation? His presumption? Michael Pate as embodying the American businessman? Providing a target for Australian criticism? Australian attitudes towards business, patriotic stances against Americans?

7. Mike Preston's portrait of Ray? The average Australian businessman, his work, abilities? Ray as character, as symbol? His compromises in crises? The idealist? His partnership with Terry and their friendship? The break up of his marriage and his relationship to Barbara? Barbara's kids and his reaction to them? His love for Barbara - his allowing himself to be interrupted by Margo? His relationship with Margo and the memories of the past? Margo as socialite? His lending her money? Antagonism towards Cliff? The social round entertaining Americans? Parties and manners? Barbara's hostility? Her wanting to marry? Business needs and oppression? The rivalry of Ken Overland e.g. at the airport? Playing up to Al to prevent Ken getting a foothold? The questions he was asking himself? Family crises along with business crisis? The weekend and Al's humiliation from Jackie? The friendship with Terry and Diane - and the kiss? Terry's hostility? Wanting to resign? The complications with Caroline - lending her attempt? The symbolism of the doll? The fight with Cliff? The confrontation about the deals? The quick alliance with the other firms against the Americans? His being voted out? His acceptance of Terry as boss? His interest in the trains and his decision to retire? The upbeat ending with Barbara and the family? The ingredients for portraying the Australian businessman through Ray? Type, values, ideals? The choices?

8. Barbara and her children? At home? University studies, going back to work? Her antagonism towards Terry and Diane at the meal? Exasperation with Margo. Concern about Caroline? Her placing the options clearly before Ray? Concurring in his final choices? A credible woman?

9. Margo and her wealth, bitchiness, memories of marriage, her interest in art, her infatuation for Ray and trying to educate him. leaving him, her concern about Caroline - and her visiting the hospital for Caroline? The patronising of Cliff, the liaison., the change in critical opinion and her dropping him? Questions about divorce and property settlements? Stereotype of the selfish woman?

10. Caroline and the younger generation, her modelling work, her relationship with Toby and the unsympathetic presentation of him and his absconding? The abortion? The discussions with her father and his sympathy? Suicide attempt? The doll? The blame for her confusion?

11. Terry and Diane and their superficial attitudes? Lifestyle? Moral stances - Diane's alleged strictness? Barbara's hostility? Terry and his efficiency in his job? Facing up to Al? Participating in the sales education? His role at Queenscliff? Diane and the kiss? The clash with Ray? Reconciliation? His winning in the end? The style of the up-and-coming executive in his 30s?

12. Ken Overland and the suave opposition, arrival at the airport, wheeler dealing with Al? Crittendons and their trying to get Al's patronage? The final deals? The board meeting and the burying of rivalry? The insistence on Ray's retirement? Cut-throat aspects of big business? The background of Ray's friendship with Doug. exercising with him getting legal and financial?

13. Jackie and her work, glamorous, Al's presumption on the weekend, her screaming? Her symbolising the one-upping of the American visitor by the Australians?

14. Themes of marriage and relationship, love and children? The brittle and pressurised contemporary world? Ray and middle age and facing questions or reassessing his life and relationships? His final option for job, marriage?

15. The world of the multinationals? The competitive world of business, cutthroat? The contrast with preserving heritage, love of trains? Ray choosing the better part?

16. Themes of Australian patriotism and pride?