LETTERS FROM FRANK
US, 1979, 100 minutes, Colour.
Art Carney, Lew Ayres, Michael J. Fox, Mike Farrell, Margaret Hamilton, Maureen Stapleton.
Directed by Edward Parone.
Letters From Frank is an excellent telemovie. Art Carney portrays a man who has worked at his job for 40 years, has to leave, goes into retirement but cannot settle. He writes letters to his estranged son as to his former employer. His retirement gives him the chance to meet his brother, offer something to his wife Betty, go on the road to see their grandson.
The film focuses on the theme of old age and retirement very well, showing the frustrations of the active man, the dreams of the woman who has been a devoted wife and mother but has not been able to live for herself. It also shows the contemporary broken marriage, the bitter ex-wife, the irresponsible son who has been spoilt by his father and wants to achieve for himself. It also focuses on the grandson in the broken family situation.
Besides Art Carney, the cast is excellent and includes a sympathetic performance from Maureen Stapleton, a very spirited performance from Margaret Hamilton as Frank's mother, a vigorous lady about 90 (Margaret Hamilton was the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz). Mike Farrell is persuasive as the son, Gail Strickland as the daughter-in-law and a young Michael J. Fox is the grandson. Lew Ayres has a guest role as Frank's brother.
The film tells a humane story that audiences can identify with as well as reflect on.
1. An interesting story? Characters? Situation? Themes of work, retirement, age? Family?
2. The telemovie style, a piece of Americana, for the home audience?
3. The strength of the writing of the characters, Frank - Is letters and voice-over, the truth of the situations, their impact?
4. Art Carney's portrait of Frank: his 40 years experience at work, the paymaster, friendship with employees, having to retire, loving, crusty? His relationship with his wife? The estrangement of his son? His job and packing, packing up from the family apartment? Betty and her hopes for the retirement? On the road? Retirement and the fulfilment of dreams? Taking Adele - and her vitality, strong philosophy of life, enjoying the human comedy? The new house and Betty's hopes? Frank's wariness? Dan and his wife, their welcome? The unpacking,
settling in? The contrast with Dan and his not wanting to do anything? Going fishing, Dan's attack and death? The impact of the funeral on Frank? His letter to Mr Carstairs? His complaints about retirement? Buying the car, the dog, the anger at the prowler? Being upset? The decision to return - and his not understanding Betty's point of view? His job, interviewing the older people, especially the man who was over
70 but wanted to be janitor? The difference of opinion with Carstairs and his leaving? On the road again, the visit to Ricky and Marlene? Missing their Christmas visit? Sharing with Ricky? Marlene's situation? Taking Ricky on a visit to his father, concealing him in the car? The impact of the visit to Richard? Questioning him, finding out the truth? About the painting, about his work, about his control of his son, dreams for his son? Betty's telling him the truth? His realisations, the admissions in hit final letter? His future? A strong
portrait?
5. Betty and her love for her husband, ordinary housewife and mother, the apartment, her own dreams of being a nurse not being fulfilled, not wanting to be on the move, looking forward to the retirement, enjoying the house? Her upset at having to go back to the city? The support of Adele? Her reaction to Frank's wanting to go on the road again? The visit to Marlene and Ricky, the sympathy towards Marlene? Her appraisal of Richard? Telling the truth to Frank about their son?
6. Adele and her vitality, smart talk, her influence on her son - especially about the vitality of life and watching the human comedy?
7. Marlene and her experience, bitterness, knowing the truth about Richard? Her love for her son, his feeling left out? Her job, wanting to marry?
8. Ricky and his age, experience, resentful of his parents? Boasting about his freedom? Watching the match with Frank, talking with him? The visit to his father, needing his father? His reticence - but the response to parental love?
9. Richard and his isolating himself from his parents, his marriage, treatment of Marlene, of Ricky, remarrying? His immaturity? His father's dreams for him, control? His wanting to break out, do his own work? Themes of success, his father's permission to do things? Not being ready to cope with Ricky? His future?
10. The sketch of Dan and the comparison with Frank, retirement, sitting and enjoying life, the fishing, his heart attack and death?
11. Themes of work, family and home? Age and retirement? Re-assessing and repairing relationships?
