TERROR IN THE FAMILY

US, 90 minutes, 1996, Colour.
Joanna Kerns, Hilary Swank, Anne Lauria.
Directed by Gregory Goodell.

Terror in the Family is an American telemovie that focuses on dysfunctional families - on the surface seeming to cope, but with deep underlying problems. The father has tended to be passive, allowing the mother to oversee the house. However, she has doted on her daughter and has spoilt her. At 15, the daughter is rebellious, seeing a fellow student with whom she is having a sexual relationship, has outbursts of violence, especially striking her mother. The young boy of the family, staying at home to hear the quarrels and covering up for his sister, has begun to drink.

The film focuses on the anxieties of the parents, especially as the mother becomes alcoholic. The film is sympathetic to the parents, critical of the children - but ultimately making a plea for understanding the children and acknowledging the faults of the parents. The film ends optimistically with the family going to counselling.

1.The impact of this kind of American telemovie, tailored for the television audience? American families and their problems? Dramatising problems, suggesting solutions?

2.The small American town, the American household, the town? Neighbours, the school? The abandoned rollercoaster? The musical score?

3.The title of the film? Seemingly sensational for its topic? The irony of the teenage girl causing the terror?

4.The structure of the film: the family clash and the injuries, the police? Three months earlier? The credible dramatising of the crises that led up to the clash? The aftermath with the court, probation, the daughter staying with her aunt? The parole? The final judgment, going to counselling?

5.The portrait of the teenage girl? Her untidy room, her music, going out, ignoring her parents? Her relationship with the boy? Sexual relationship? Her getting her brother to write notes and cover for her? Her reactions and physically striking her mother? Her lies? Playing with the band? Being found out, the lies, the cover-up? The continued violence? The apologies, watching television with her mother? The clash with her father and breaking his fingers? The brother calling the police? Her being arrested, charged? In jail and the treatment? Her ringing her boyfriend? The court hearing, the probation? Her staying with her aunt? Growing improvement? The plan to run away with her boyfriend? Her mother's visit and her desperation? The final confrontation, the court? The possibilities of therapy? A credible portrayal of a teenage girl, her behaviour, the causes within the family, within herself?

6.Cynthia and her household, orderly, controlling it? Yet spoiling her daughter? The alienation from her husband - and his going into the cellar to make bowls? The irony of their not wanting the children and the possibility of an abortion? The daughter feeling this? The mother unable to deal with her daughter, tidying her room, being ordered out, hit? Her drinking? Her criticism of her husband? Looking after her mother - and her mother's harshness? The clash with her sister and her rebellion? Forcing the young son to play for the visitors? Her losing control, accepting her daughter's lies, finding out the truth, going to the school but lying for her? The punishment and the grounding - yet wanting to concede? The final blow-up, her anger, her upset about the arrest? The phone calls, her visit with the pizza, her drinking? The relief in court? The confrontation with her sister and the truth told about her relationship with her, with her mother? Coming to terms with her husband? The discovery of her son's vodka bottle? Her refusal to go to therapy - but her final coming? Hope for the future?

7.Todd, the gentle father, leaving things to his wife? His pride in his work, making his dishes? Seeing the truth about his daughter, his relationship with her? Her threatening him with charges of rape? His bewilderment? Wanting to take a stand with his wife, ultimately taking the drink from her? His injuries, in the hospital, in the court? The decision to go to therapy?

8.Adam, his age, covering for his sister, hearing the quarrels, his intelligence and assessment of the situation? The piano, self-conscious? Drinking the vodka? His anxiety and phoning the police? Going to therapy?

9.Cynthia's mother, her harshness, her drinking? Harsh tactics for dealing with children? Anger at her younger daughter?

10.The younger daughter, rebelling, going away from home? Visiting, being supportive of her niece? Taking her during the probation period? Her wise dealing with her niece?

11.The boyfriend, the harsh background at home with his mother and her boyfriends? Suspended? The band? Depending on his girlfriend? Together, in the house? The plan to run away? Going up to the roller-coaster? Talking of suicide? In court, his wanting to go away, his being caught by his girlfriend, his explanations? His final disillusionment when she took a stand?

12.Therapists, their wisdom and analysis of the situation? The judge in the court?

13.Typical of behaviour in American families? A useful psycho-drama for reflection and discussion?