A DAY IN THE DEATH OF JOE EGG

UK, 1973, 105 minutes, Colour.
Alan Bates, Janet Suzman, Peter Bowles, Joan Hickson, Sheila Gish.
Directed by Peter Medak.

A Day in the Death of Joe Egg is a version of Peter Nichol’s play. He wrote the screenplay, which looks as if it has been adapted from the stage. However, the vitality of the performances and the strength of the dialogue help to carry the audience through the emotional demands of the film.

Joe Egg is the nickname for Brian and Sheila's 10-year-old severely spastic child. The audience is asked to identify closely with their situation, Its Joys, sorrows and desperation.

Acting is superb, Alan Bates (who seems to make films only which give him a chance to really act) and Janet Suzman (Alexandra in Nicholas and Alexandra) excel. Joan Hickson as Brian's mother gives a devastating performance of the self-centred, garrulous woman.

Director Peter Medak has made Negatives (1968) and The Ruling Class (1972).

1. How fitting was the name of the film? What were the implications of "death"? What was the significance of "Joe Egg"?

2. The film was based on a play. How evident Was this? Did it spoil the film in any way?

3. What did the credit sequence tell you of Brian? Was this effective?

4. The film used many flashbacks. How effective was this? Why? Was it better than having a straight narrative?

5. Brian played roles in flashback games - the minister, the doctor. What was the point of this? Was it effective?

6. What kind of man was Brian - in his teaching, relationship with the boys, at home, his relationship with Sheila, his sexual longings, his wanting to be noticed?

7. How did Josephine's arrival change the behaviour of the parents? Did it make you see them in a new light? What did you think of the games they played? Did they benefit Joe? Did they benefit Brian and Sheila?

8. First impressions of Sheila, from the sensuality of Brian's fantasies to her reality at home, her banter, going to rehearsals?

9. Even if you were prepared for a spastic Josephine, what impression did her first appearance make? Were you shocked?

10. Did the film convey to you the feelings and difficulties of parents with such a spastic child? Sow much compassion did the film ask for? How did they gain their strength to continue?

11. How did the flashbacks fill in (and change?), appreciation of Brian and Sheila? How helpful were they for understanding the nature of their marriage, the pregnancy and expectations (the agony of the prolonged delivery), the illness, the early years, the graving realisation of the situation (the doctor, the minister, taking Joe to a home, etc.)?

12. Why was Brian unhappy? What did his life mean - Joe, Sheila, teaching, Fred, his mother, his painting? Was he too cynical? Why did he resort to almost perpetual banter? Why did he want attention? Was he being asked to bear too much?

13. Why did he want Joe to die? Why was he willing to kill her? How much better would that have been? We saw him throw her into the woods in imagination; we saw him attempt her death by withholding medicines and in the cold. Why could he not let her die?

14. How strong Was Sheila? a good Woman? Why did she hope so strongly for Joe - "the life that we made together"? Would it have been better for her if Joe had died? If she had allowed Joe to die? Why did she break down at the rehearsals?

15. Alan Bates conveyed Brian's anguish in comedy and slapstick and frustrated anger; Janet Suzman conveyed Sheila's hopes and yearnings in monologues. How successful were these sequences? How did they contrast with and complement each
other?

16. What role did Freddie and his wife play? How did they represent the man and woman in the street - those who try to do good and those who cannot bear anything ugly? What relationship did they have? How did this evening help them as they confronted Joe in her situation? Was the wife selfish?

17. Would the audience have been like Freddie and his wife in similar situations? Why? Why were they shocked at Brian's behaviour with the baby?

18. What role did Brian's mother play in the film? What kind of woman was she - during her pregnancy, on that final night? How 'typical' was she?

19. Were you happy that Joe survived? Would it have been better had she died? Why?

20. Was Sheila's solution for Joe and the marriage (Joe in a home for a month/year and a holiday for them) a good one? Why?

21. Why did Brian leave?

22. What future did they all have?

23. How happy a film was this? How sad? Was it real? What did it have to offer on human life and the human predicaments? Was this a deep film? Why?