CALIFORNIA DREAMING
US, 1979, 92 minutes, Colour.
Glynnis O’ Conner, Dennis Christopher, Seymour Cassell, Tanya Roberts.
Directed by John D. Handcock.
A surfing film of Southern California. It takes its title from the popular song and tries to illustrate something of the dream of people coming to California as well as those who live there. That it is some kind of Paradise. However, people have to wake from dreams. The film is geared towards an adolescent young adult audience although some of the older stars are there for an older audience. The appeal is that of surf, sand and sex. Dennis Christopher, the star, appeared in Fellini’s Roma. Glynnis O'Connor has appeared in a number of films to good effect especially as Little Mo and in director John Hancock’s Baby Blue Marine with Jan-Michael? Vincent. California Dreaming reflects the permissiveness of the seventies and Southern California. It is also disappointing in not realising its potential.
1. The popularity of the surf films in the seventies? The audience interested in surf? The ethos of the surfies? Southern California and this way of life?
2. The focus of the title, its significance, overtones? reference to the song? The use of songs and music throughout the film?
3. The atmosphere of California with its beaches, the surf, surfing? Money? Poverty, affluence?
4. Fee and his arrival? Audience identification with him or not? The humour and naivety of his approach, his talk and the people mocking him? His guitar, memories of home, aim to succeed with surfing and the friendly encounter with Duke? His mistakes? His boasting? Background of drugs, sex? Did he learn or not? His good qualities, for example in the surf and the rescue? How typical of the young California dreamers? How seriously was he presented - or not?
5. Julie as a pleasant character, his talk, volley ball? Corky and his love for her and his attitudes towards her? His wife? dreams of Hawaii, proving his death? The Olympic Games? discovery of the truth about him? her virginity, her way of life around the attraction towards the boys, despising them? Her playing on the beach, swimming? Her attitudes towards Duke's ex-wife? prospect of going to college? The volley ball games? Outings, her disregard of T.T., gradually liking him? Their sexual encounter? The future?
6. Rick and his girl friend, the party, the sexual relationship, his vanity, his skill at surfing, the competition, his going out with other girls, his being led to the airport and his ticket being taken away? The background of the family and their supporting his going to Hawaii, taking it away?
7. The other surfers and their skill, going to the movies about surfing, friendships? Changing? Prospects of marriage and settling down? Injuries? Competitions? T.T. and his trying to become friendly with this group?
8. The film's presentation of the ethos of surfers and their achievement?
9. The relationship between Fay and Corky, the bonds between them. friendship? Advice about Fay and her relationship with Duke?
10. This world as a microcosm of the United States in the seventies, dreams, values?
11. The portrait of characters around the beach, the men, the women, attitudes towards one another?
12. The ending with Corky and T.T. clashing, loving each other, going out into reality or dreams? Duke and his death after dreams?
13. How enjoyable a film, how pleasant? How permissive? reflecting the realities of beach life?
