ROMANCE ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

US, 1989, 96 minutes, Colour.
Cheryl Ladd, Stuart Wilson, John Gielgud, Renee Asherson.
Directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark.

Romance on the Orient Express has overtones of past ages of gentility - as well as murder mysteries and Agatha Christie. However, this is a romantic film of the mid-'80s, Mills and Boon style. It is glamorous, has attractive European settings. While a British production, with guest roles from John Gielgud and Renee Asherson with Stuart Wilson in the central role, the star is the American, Cheryl Ladd - with amusing support from comedian Ruby Wax.

The film is the familiar story of the past love affair, the tyrant father who makes demands on his son to follow in the family business, the pregnant woman who doesn't tell the truth to the father and who makes a career for herself. They meet again almost 10 years later on the Orient Express - they clash, they remember, they reconcile. It is the kind of material for easy matinee viewing.

1.Pleasant romantic tale, characters? The Orient Express setting? European settings? Familiar and predictable - and enjoyable because of this?

2.The Orient Express, Venice, the European countries, Paris? The musical score? The cast?

3.The title - and the clarity of the plot and theme? Romantic treatment?

4.The portrait of Lily: successful businesswoman, friendship with Susan? The decision to go on the Orient Express? The memories of the encounter with Alex - and the flashbacks punctuating the journey? Her age, inexperience, falling in love with Alex? The possibility of marriage? Her pregnancy? His disappearance, dominant father? Her not telling him the truth? Bringing up her child, the magazine work? Meeting a possible husband, the plans for her daughter? The impact of meeting Alex again, the meal, resisting him? Renewing the affair and her reaction against him? Avoiding him, in Paris? Undecided about her future, Susan's advice? Meeting Alex again, giving him the chance to tell the story? The reconciliation? The chance for a future? The credibility of the plot - done in soap opera and glossy style?

5. The portrait of Alex, when young, the first encounter with Lily, romantic, his sudden disappearance? Ten years later, the businessman? The reason for his leaving Lily, the pressure from his father, the family business and his giving in? Re-awakening the love, revealing what happened? Susan revealing the truth about Lily?

6. The portrait of Alex’s parents? The classical performers and John Gielgud’s screen presence? The critique of the dominant father? Alex’s mother?

7. The role of Susan? Friendship, comedy, confidences?

8. Popular ingredients for romance, the Mills and Boon traditions, British style?