RIGHT OF WAY

US, 1983, 106 minutes, Colour.
James Stewart, Bette Davis, Melinda Dillon.
Directed by George Schaefer.

Right of Way is a significant telemovie. It teams James Stewart and Bette Davis for the first time in their respective careers. As its subject it tackles the right of the elderly to terminate their own lives. As such it is an emotional and controversial film. The stars perform with their usual dignity, especially Stewart - which makes the film even more controversial because of Stewart's capacity for persuasiveness. Cassie Yates has the role of the daughter who
opposes her parents' plans. The film acts as a parable for important questions about matters of life and death. The film is based on a play by Richard Less.

1. The impact of the telemovie? Its topic, presentation, controversy?

2. American atmosphere, suburbia? The musical score for atmosphere? The teaming of the two stars and the quality of their playing together?

3. The atmosphere familiar to television viewers from soap operas? Ordinary suburbia transcending soap opera material? The use of conventions to establish husband and wife, family life, the happiness of the years? Terminal illness? The response of family, especially daughter? The questions of law? Social workers?

4. The significance of the plot for contemporary questions about the right to life and the right to death? How fairly was the situation dramatised? From moral point of view, from emotional point of view? Standards and values gauging the right to make such a decision. the way that such a decision is made? Society's rights? The role of the law?

5. Bette Davis and James Stewart establishing their characters? Teddy and Mini Dwyer as characters audiences could identify with? The ease of their life together. their strengths. weaknesses, warmth and love? Their reminiscences and the details of their life? How well did the film portray so many years of marriage? The situation of terminal illness? Mini's attitudes and strengths? Teddy and his regard for his wife?

6. The daughter and her relationship with her parents, visits? Love. discussions, arguments? Her going against their wishes? What right did she have? The audience siding with her - or against her?

7. The legal aspects and the characters representing the issues? Social workers and their visit? Their attitude towards life. communicating this to the elderly couple? How persuasively? Neighbours? Parallel old couples?

8. The impact of terminal illness? The prospects of illness and suffering. hospital treatment? ordinary means to preserve life, extraordinary means? The quality of life for a person undergoing treatment in hospital. waiting for the end? mini's views, Teddy's views?

9. The film showing the shrewdness of the couple in outwitting their adversaries? The emotional sympathy for them in this fight?

10. How important is this kind of telemovie for the wide audience? To acknowledge the realities of the question - in fact as well as in theory? What final judgment did the screenplay make? What did it leave the audience with?