DYING YOUNG

US, 1991, 111 minutes, Colour.
Julia Roberts, Campbell Scott, Vincent D'Onofrio, Colleen Dewhurst, Ellen Burstyn, David Selby.
Directed by Joel Schumacher.

Dying Young is a film of the early '90s - but is reminiscent of the dramas of sentiment and romances of the past. The film is designed as a star vehicle for Julia Roberts, who had reached great popularity with Steel Magnolias, most especially with Pretty Woman as well as Flatliners and Sleeping With The Enemy. Her co-star is Campbell Scott, son of George C. Scott and Colleen Dewhurst (who appears with him in the film). Scott had appeared in Long-Time? Companion and The Sheltering Sky. Ellen Burstyn also appears as Julia Roberts' mother.

The film was directed by Joel Schumacher, whose credits include St Elmo's Fire, Cousin and Flatliners. It takes up interest in the contemporary theme of illness and death (with echoes of the experience of AIDS and so many people dying younger in the '80s and '90s.)

The film is designed for the wide audience, for emotional response, for sharing in the experience of death and illness as well as romance.

1. Impact of the film as drama, romance? Serious issues? The stars?

2. The San Francisco locations, ordinary Oakland, wealthy Nob Hill? The holiday at Mendocino? Songs, the musical score and the romantic theme?

3. The title, theme and expectations?

4. Julia Roberts as Hilary, the vivacity of her screen presence? Shopping with her friend, the discovery of her boyfriend and her disillusionment, throwing back the keys? With her mother? Reflecting on her life, relationships, mistakes? Seeing the advertisement, the red dress? The interview with Vic's father, his rejection of her? Malachi pursuing her? The discussion with Vic, the conditions, the nature of the job? Her acceptance, moving into the house?

5. The effect on her, companionship for Vic, the chemotherapy, going to the hospital, watching the children with cancer? Vic's illness and turns, the vomiting? Her helping, her fears? Feeling unable to cope and wanting to leave? Vic's talking with her, her decision to stay? Sharing his experience? The contrast between the two, her lack of education? His thesis, the art and the pictures, the explanation of the artists and their themes? His growing to rely on her, lying on the bed during the night? Going to the meal, the wealthy fashionableness, the contrast with the exuberance of the disco? Their return to the house?

6. The portrait of Vic: his life, age, the photos of his healthy life, the ten-year illness? The death of his mother, the dominance of his father? The chemotherapy? The interviews for the nurses, his decision to hire Hilary? With her, the explanations, the seriousness of his illness and treatment, the vomiting, the noise, his bad turns? His isolation? His wanting to finish his thesis, explanation of the paintings? Going out with Hilary, the effect?

7. His decision to go away, interrupt the chemotherapy? His story of Hilary and her going? Going to Mendocino(?), the jerking with the driving? The house, the neighbour? Settling in, shopping for the health foods? The healthy holiday? Going out? Growing in love, the sexual encounter, passion? The walking and the effect on each?

8. Gordon and the people in the town, the story of his losing his hair, coming to fix the windows? The social background of the town?

9. Vic, his health, growing his hair, trying to live normally? The deterioration, his lies, taking the morphine? The visit to Estelle and the friendship? The attraction of the maze, his going into the maze, the collapse? His anger with Hilary? Going being invited to the Christmas party? The background of the Jeopardy quiz, his quickness, his taunting with their knowledge of soap operas? His bad behaviour and collapse?

10. The effect on Hilary, the relationship with Vic, believing that he was getting well? The discovery of the morphine? His bad behaviour? Ringing his father?

11. His father and his love for his son, business journeys, telephone messages? Reaction to Hilary? Coming to see him, pleading with his son about his health?

12. Hilary, talking with Estelle, Estelle giving her advice?

13. The party, going with Gordon, the dancing? Pursuing Vic, talking with him? Going back to the house, his packing, her explanation of her devotion and love? Her resolution?

14. Hilary and her declaration that if he were to get well, she would support him; if he were to die, she would hold his hand and he would see her as he died? Their leaving together - satisfactory resolution for the film, for the themes of illness, for death?

15. A satisfying blend of issues, romance and feeling?