DOUBLE STANDARD

US, 1988, 90 minutes, Colour.
Robert Foxworth, Michelle Greene, Pamela Belwood.
Directed by Louis Rudolph.

Double Standard says that it is inspired by a true story. It is a story of a bigamist and how he managed two families. Robert Foxworth plays the lawyer who eventually becomes a judge, a weak man who is led into situations and is unable to extricate himself. He finally sets up two separate families and is, of course, exposed to the hurt of members of both families.

The story seems credible from an emotional point of view. However, one is asking throughout the film how this lawyer and then judge is able to support a family of three and then a family of seven children. However, given this the film is telemovie style exploration of themes and characters - and is of some interest, especially as one wonders how the plot will be resolved.

1. Interesting telemovie? Characters, dilemmas, resolution of problems?

2. St Louis, affluent households, ordinary households? The credibility of the behaviour of the judge, of the setting up of the two families?

3. The title, and its moral stands?

4. Leonard, his relationship with his family, his children, Joan? The boy with his disability and the efforts made for him to recover? The birth of the new baby?

4. His needing a secretary, the interviews, the meeting with Virginia and her forcefulness? His motives for employing her? Her devoted work? The prom, the dress, escort? Her pregnancy, the news at Christmas? The birth of the child? His dilemma, Virginia wanting to keep the baby, his persuading Sharon that they should adopt it? His persuasiveness with Joan? The growing up of the child within the household? Accepted by the boys? Joan's not being able to have any more children?

5. Joan and the family, the devoted wife, lover for her husband, the bearing of the children, her fears about disability for the youngest child, care for David? Her husband's career? His nomination for judge, the coming election? His successful career? Her acceptance of Sharon into the household? Her initial hurt but persuaded to stay with Leonard? Meeting Virginia, Sharon's arrival at the home, the revelation of the truth, her disbelief? The separation from her husband?

6. David's training? His studies, achievement, the help pf his father? and acknowledgement of his father? The disappointment with the truth, yet his continued support, not knowing whether he could forgive his father?

7. Virginia, ambitious, persuasive? The program? Her pregnancy? The baby, loving it, deciding to keep it? Allowing Sharon to be adopted? The care with the documents so as not to reveal the truth? Wanting the baby back? Leonard's legal manoeuvres? Going through the form of marriage? The passing of the years, the birth of the seven children? The contrasting household, Her love for Leonard and the children? Her concern at illness, intruding into the family? The exposure of the truth? Her grief at Sharon's death? Her ultimately marrying Leonard?

8. Sharon and the children growing up, the narrow life, no relationship, being allowed out? Leonard's cover-ups? The billboard advertising? candidacy? Allowing her to go to camp, changing his mind? Her reaction, wanting the job, the address and her finding out of the truth? The blow, hurt, going to him in his chambers? His going to the caravan, the car pursuit, the accident, her death?

9. Leonard as a weak man, loving both women, unable to make a firm decision? His handling of the double life? His behaviour judge? Encountering with the judge who did the second wedding, the painter? His being unmasked and his inability to do anything positive? The post script that he married Virginia?

10. The credibility of the characters, the situation, moral laws, personal hurt, the resolution?