RUNNING

Canada, 1976, 96 minutes, Colour.
Michael Douglas, Susan Anspach, Lawrence Dane, Eugene Levy, Charles Shamata.
Directed by Steven Hilliard Stern.

Running is a minor athletics/domestic drama. Written and directed by Steven Hilliard Stern, writer and director of many telemovies, this is a Canadian production with two American stars. Michael Douglas is competent in the role of a drop-out from medical school, law school and various businesses, who takes on marathon running training and goes to the Olympic team. Susan Anspach is his long-suffering wife.

The film lacks the dramatic impetus that it might have had - too many scenes of running. This, however, may make it acceptable to fans of running and athletics.

1. Interesting and entertaining drama? Athletics, domestic?

2. Production values: the American city, home, the streets, business, athletics, Olympic preparations? Editing and pace for the running sequences? Score?

3. The title and its focus? As a physical activity for Michael? Psychological activity? Goal in life? Meaning tor his life?

4. The portrait of Michael - his background, dropping out, ambitions, training, education? His running and its meaning for him? Olympic hopes? The effect on him, on his wife? Family? His attempts to save his marriage? His wife's wanting to leave him? His coach and the memories of the past? his decision? Running and achievement?

5. Janet and the children ordinary family life, their reactions to Michael and his work, to his running? Janet seeing him as a professional failure? Her lack of sympathy for his running? her wanting to get divorced? Relationship? The final decision? Familiar material from domestic dramas?

6. The world of business, Michael's place in it, failures, advice from managers and workers?

7. The world of athletics, rigorous training, health, the exhilaration of running? His goal, temptation to drop out, persevering, injury, desperation? The final marathon and his personal achievement?

8. '70s and '80s interest in athletics, sport and fitness? An interesting presentation of this theme? The repercussions on family life? On individual achievement and meaning in lite?