SWEETHEARTS DANCE
US, 1988, 96 minutes, Colour.
Susan Sarandon, Jeff Daniels, Elizabeth Perkins, Don Johnson, Justin Henry, Kate Reid
Directed by Robert Greenwald.
Sweethearts Dance is a piece of Americana, written by Ernest Thompson (On Golden Pond). It focuses, via holidays and special occasions of a year, the break-up of a marriage and the coming together of a middle-aged man and his girlfriend. There is also a focus on the children of the marriage. Don Johnson (Miami Vice, Dead Bang) and Susan Sarandon are the couple. Jeff Daniels (Purple Rose of Cairo, Marie, Checking Out) and Elizabeth Perkins (About Last Night, From the Hip, Big) are the couple. Justin Henry, the boy from Kramer vs Kramer) is the oldest son.
The film, in some ways, is obvious and sentimental. Nevertheless it is an opportunity for a wide audience to have a look at what happens to couples in mid-life, the way that they experience crises, the options for reconciliation or not.
1. Enjoyable piece of Americana? Portrait of characters and families? Problems of marital breakdown? Of marriage?
2. New England locations, the seasons? Caribbean sequences? The musical score and the range of songs, especially 'Why Do Fools Fall In Love"?
3. The title of the film, the reference to celebrations and dances, the patterns of the dance, coming together and parting? As illustrated by the couples?
4. The focus on the development of each of the characters: the marriage of Wiley and Sandy, the relationship between Sam and Adie? Their personalities, styles? In themselves, in relationship to others?
5. The following of the various chapters of the film-and the development of each character: the Halloween situation, the families and the preparation for the celebration, the disguises? Kyle and his taking and ruining Sam's car? The angry reactions, the jokes? The family settled?
Veterans' Day: the redemolishing of the gym, Wiley and his working at the gym? Sam as a teacher?
First Frost: the photos, the tension between Sandy and Wiley, kissing less? Going camping, the songs? Kyle with the men? The skating, the accident? And the return and thinking of breaking up the marriage?
Giving Thanks: the cooking for the meal, the family gathering together, each character giving thanks, the clash between Sam and Adie and their making up, Wylie and his taking the occasion to break from Sandy?
'Tis the season to be jolly: the crankiness of the family, the Christmas celebrations, at home, Kyle and his reactions? Angers?
The New Year: the party, the particular group and the plans for the Caribbean, Sandy going, the growth of the relationship between Sam and Adie, Wylie going home with the girl to his cabin? The sleigh?
Open house: the parents' night, Wylie going, the confrontation with Kyle about the girl and his arrival at the trailer? Sandy and her talking things over with Adie? The plan for the Caribbean? Sam and his proposal to Adie and her not accepting?
Going away: the rain, people in the bus, Sandy and her wanting to go on the Caribbean? At the Caribbean, enjoyment? The speech?- The fight? Sam, and his telephoning Adie? Sandy and Wylie in the one room, the possibility of reconciliation?
Coming home: Wylie going on, the return, the taking of the car and sinking it? The reconciliation with the family? Sam's anger? The jokiness of the end - and the symbol of their coming together again, rediscovering the past?
6. The character of Kyle, his place in the family, the rest of the children? His being disturbed by his father's behaviour? Anger with him? Christmas gifts and swearing? The possibility of working with him? Going to the trailer and discovering the girl? Angers at school, the girlfriend, the
art, the reconciliation with his father?
7. Pearne and her influence on the adults, her own experience of marriage, supporting them? At the Caribbean?
8. The picture of family life, the attention to detail, the reasons for break-ups, memories and the reasons for marriage, people growing apart, not making effort? The contrast with the couple who had avoided commitment, were afraid of it, but who found the means to commit themselves?
