LOVE LETTERS

US, 1984, 98 minutes, Colour.
Jamie Lee Curtis, James Keach, Matt Clark, Amy Madigan.
Directed by Amy Jones.

Love Letters was written and directed by Amy Jones. It is the story of young woman who comes across letters written to her dead mother from a man who had loved her for over 15 years. She is influenced by the letters, wanting some kind of passionate affair herself. She meets a married man, is exhilarated by the affair, but has to face the reality of its continuing or not, the reality of his wife and children.

The film is a strong vehicle for Jamie Lee Curtis, a film made soon after her prominence in the horror films after Halloween, Prom Night and Terror Train. She shows that she has a good dramatic screen presence. See was to show this in the later 80s in such films as A Fish Called Wanda and Blue Steel as well as in comedies especially on television. There is a very good supporting cast led by James Keach as the lover, Matt Clark as the heroine's alcoholic father, Amy Madigan as her friend. Rance Howard appears at the end as the lover in a way that brings the film to a satisfying conclusion. It is an interesting exploration of the emotions of a young woman.

1. The title, the opening and close of the film with the burning of the letters? Their being read throughout the film by Joseph, their tone, the reality of the love, their meaning and the influence on Anne?

2. The Californian settings, Venice, Los Angeles? Homes, the radio station? Wealthy Los Angels homes? Authentic atmosphere? The musical score, the songs of the past? Instrumental music?

3. The film as a portrait of Anne, Jamie Lee Curtis's screen presence and interpretation? Age, experience? At work at the radio station, love for work, ambition? Her visits to her sick mother, devoted to her, the clash with her father in the hospital ward? At the funeral? The impact of her mother's death, the friend at the funeral, her father's behaviour? Sharing with him, his drunkenness, wanting to be alone? Going through her mother's things, finding the letters and starting to read them, the consequences?

4. Anne's qualities as a person, her experience of life, sensitivity? Her friendship with Wendy, talking over Wendy's relationship with George? The pool game and confiding in Wendy, Wendy's advice? At the radio station, on air? Her work with Danny and helping him with his career? The programs? Meeting Oliver and attracted to him?

5. The surprise of finding the letters, the identity of Joseph? The audience hearing his voice as Anne read? Understanding the past, seeing her mother in a new light, seeing her father? Her developing the relationship, the passionate affair with Oliver, idealising it, the influence of the letters? Her relationship with Oliver , sharing with him, sexual passion, companionship, shared experiences? The dinner, the artist-friend and the intellectual discussions? Her feeling left out? The contrast with her father? The build-up to the confrontation, Oliver's visit to her, having made love to his wife, her being upset, into the bathroom, her wanting to express herself using the words of the letter?

6. The portrait of Oliver, a genial 40 year old, his approach to Anna, invitation to her with the drink, the beginning of the affair, telling her the truth about himself and his family? An affair at 40? The sensual affair? The reality of his other life, the photo of his wife and children? Passion with Anna, the effect on each, sharing? Wendy's warning to Anna?

7. Anna's decision, the influence of Wendy, the influence of her father and his wanting to talk, drinking, explaining about his cooking, being by himself, the wash-up and his anger? The possibility of the move to San Francisco, the pressure from the executive, her staying, Danny's return and his success? Her spying on Oliver's wife and child? Oliver's inability to break from his wife, Anna not wanting the truth but wanting a passionate declaration of love? Her decision to use the letters, no reply from Oliver, going to his house and the dramatic outburst, the reaction of the children, Oliver’s wife, of Oliver himself?

8. The picture of Maggie in the hospital her death, from the letters? The picture of her father? The hospital, the ring, the funeral? The dreams and the presence of her father, his saying she was just like her mother? The image of the gun and the shooting? The dream as part of her liberation?

9. The sketch of Edith and the children, relationship with Oliver, the hurt of the truth of the affair?

10. Wendy as good friend, concerned, helpless?

11. The world of the radio station, the financial appeals? the promotion of Danny?

12. Oliver's world, photography, photographing Anna, photographing the bedroom? The world of business?

13. Anna going to the cemetery, discovering the flowers, the man leaving, her pursuit? The meeting with Joseph, talking over the relationship, what might have been? The calming effect on her?

14. Anna ready to face life - with experience, sensitivity? To make the same mistakes? or not?