SECRET ADMIRER

US, 1985, 90 minutes, Colour.
C. Thomas Howell, Kelly Preston, Lori Loughlin, Leigh Taylor Young, Fred Ward, Cliff de Young, Dee Wallace, Casey Siemaszko, Corey Haim.

Secret Admirer is one of many youth-oriented films of the early and mid-80s. The films seem to have saturated the market - while some were very effective (the film versions of S. E. Hinton's books, Tex, Rumblefish, The Outsiders) there was a great deal of corny material, sex comedy in style after such films as Porky's and its sequels. This film attempts some humane treatment of its characters - but the plot is quite preposterous and runs into the dangers of overstatement and titillation.

The film has a great deal of acting talent before the cameras. C. Thomas Howell made an impact in The Outsiders. The leading ladies appeared in several of the youth-oriented films. The parent group is played by veterans Leigh Taylor Young, Fred Ward, Cliff de Young and Dee Wallace.

The film depends on an anonymous love letter written from heroine to hero which then is picked up by accident by most of the cast with consequent misunderstandings. The results are at times humorous, at times farcical. Needless to say, all is resolved at the end. An indication of a popular type of American film-making, of the '80s.

1. Entertaining? Far-fetched? Youth-oriented film? Making a point about youth, relationships, marriage?

2. The Californian locations, suburbia, the world of the young, of parents? Contemporary America? Musical score, songs?

3. The title and its focus, the writing of the letter under the credits the circulation of the letter, the various people picking it up - a kind of La Ronde of a love note? The consequences for all involved?

4. The focus on Michael, his life at home, family, school? His friends? The details of activities? His admiration for Debbie and trying to date her? The clashes with Steve? Friendship with Roger? Relationship to parents? His friendship with Toni, with her often, sharing experiences, taking her for granted? Her offer to write his notes to Debbie? The misunderstandings? The sexual encounter with Debbie and its failure? Toni on the side? Watching? The almost too late discovery that she wrote the notes? Chasing her to the wharf? Their being united? Typical American teenager of the '80s?

5. The girls in Michael's life - Debbie as the ideal blonde of the school? Her relationship with her parents, tantrums, being spoilt? her friendship with Steve? Her attraction towards Michael? The outings, the meals, the accidents, the failure? The sexual encounter for his birthday - and her coldness? Receiving the notes from Toni? The contrast with Toni - at home, relationship with her parents? Devotion to Michael, following him, sharing with him, being neglected? Writing the notes and pouring out her heart? The mix-ups about the note? The realisation that she was the writer of the letters? Her going on the education cruise, the farewells, the boat? Literally going overboard and being united with Michael?

6. The portrait of the parents - the long marriages, friendships, playing cards together? The notes and the misunderstandings? The musical chairs - the rendezvous at the car park where the kids went? Their seeing each other? The farcical deceptions? The scenes at home, at school? The policeman and his authority? The fears, the breaking off of the liaison? The children being hurt when they discovered their note had been used? Reconciliation? The ironic comments on the fragilities of marriage?

7. Michael, Toni and Debbie and their friends - typical teenagers, brash, American loud? The birthday party? Tough poses?

8. Adolescent themes of responsibility, growing up, relationships? A blend of humour and sentiment?