THE ROLLING MAN
US, 1972, 73 minutes, Colour.
Dennis Weaver, Agnes Moorhead, Don Stroud, Donna Mills, Sheree North.
Directed by Peter Hyams.
The Rolling Man is an attractive and interesting telemovie with Dennis Weaver at his best. There is a very strong
supporting cast including Agnes Moorhead. It is the story of a naive man, with Vietnam experience and all kinds of
bruises in life. He keeps going, especially in the search for his children after his prison experience. It is a fine piece of Americana with glimpses of typically American characters and situations. Direction is by Peter Hyams, a screenwriter (Telefon) and director of such films as Busting, Our Time, Peeper. Very enjoyable and with some themes worth discussing; also beautifully photographed on location.
1 . An entertaining and interesting film? The blend of entertainment and serious them? The impact as a telemovie for a home audience?
2. The film as a piece of Americana? The particularly American tones of the characters and themes, the universal values - a man, his integrity, his changing, family, responsibility?
3. The colour photography, the locations, the South, Texas and California? The attractive photography and the setting and atmosphere for the characters and themes? Creating its world well? The music, the theme song and its lyrics? A cross-section of America?
4. Dennis Weaver's interpretation of Lonnie? The significance of the title, the ordination Middle American.. lacking in initiative,' a kind man? The Vietnam experience, his working for others, his trust in his wife, Crystal, friendship with Harold? His doing his work with the stock cars, his muted ambitions? His friendship with Grandma? Love for his kids? His anger against Harold, the humiliation in the bar, the chase and the crash and the violent outburst against Harold? His sense of justice and accepting his fate? His going to prison, the conversation in the bus, the prison sequences and the change in him, did he change for the better, worse? Appearances, reality?
5. The significance of the changes in Lonnie, assuming roles, telling lies, pretending that he was bigger than he was yet the reality underneath? His revisiting the family and friends - the encounter with Grandma and her illness, the girlfriend and his lying to her and seducing her, seeing his old employer and talking about the job? Their loyalty to him? The importance of the encounter with Ruby. the exchange of conversation about unreal ambitions? Spending the night with Ruby? Ringing about his children from her phone?
6. The pursuit of the boys, a goal in life, the pursuit of Harold and vengeance? The various families and his anguish in looking for his children?
7. The character of Harold, as a type. drinking. the violent ride, Crystal's death? The re-encounter with Lonnie, the fast ride and his fear? Lonnie gaining self-respect by this experience with Harold?
8. The girl and her love for Lonnie, finding his boys, the possibilities for a future?
9. The episodic nature of the film, the quality of the various episodes and the stars bringing strength to their small but telling roles? Grandma, Ruby, the station owner etc.? The characters as American types? Standards and values? An entertaining parable about the meaning of life and responsibility?
