MERCY

US, 2009, 87 minutes, Colour
Scott Caan, Wendy Glenn, John Boyd, James Caan, Troy Garrity, Kelly Lynch, Balthasar Getty.
Directed by Scott Caan.

Mercy is a short film written by Scott Caan who plays the central role. He portrays a successful novelist who lives in his mind and in his reputation rather than in deep-felt experiences. At a book launch for his third book, he approaches a young woman who resists him – and finds later that she has written a very negative review of his book. When he confronts her, he begins to open up and they form a friendship which has the possibilities for a lasting relationship. When she has to go back home, he pines away, realising that he loves her. When they encounter each other once again, he takes her to see his father – who is played by Scott Caan’s real-life father, James Caan, in an interesting performance. Meanwhile the novelist relies on his friends, one of whom is in perpetual crisis about relationships.

The film is one which is strong in dialogue, the conversations between the author and the girl, the callow conversations with flirtatious people at parties, the anguish as well as the support of friends.

The film is brief, mingles different times so that one has to be attentive to realise at what stage of the author’s development the film is at. (?? **at .. and at?) Scott Caan gives a heartfelt performance, performing the character that he has written.

1. The impact of the film? Human relationships? Self-esteem? Growth and development? The nature of love?

2. The American settings, apartments, offices, the streets? The beach? The sense of realism?

3. Realism and surrealism – the time-shifts, the intermingling of times? The revelation of the character as he lives and remembers?

4. The film written by Scott Caan? His performing the central role? Convincing? His background, the memories of his mother, the memories of his father – and the visit to his father, comfortable, talking, his father’s reactions? Criticisms? His taking his girlfriend to see his father? Their rapport? His father at the book launches?

5. Johnny and his friends, Eric and his desperation, the best friend and his support? Their talking together? Discussing relationships? Sexual encounters? The support at book launches? These characters, as they develop through the film, their own relationships?

6. Mercy, Johnny writing the novel, the typewriter, the headings, the aftermath? As a person, resisting Johnny, the negative review, his challenging her, their discussions? Their understanding each other? Her realising he was immature? The relationship, its development? Her going back home? The reunion, the visit to Johnny’s father? Her asthma? Her helping to build him up? The seeming happy future? Her going into the elevator, stuck, her asthma, her death? Johnny not knowing - thinking that she had disappeared? The effect on him?

7. The meal, the setup, the widow, their talking, Johnny and his anger in discovering she was a widow, hitting his best friend? The later meeting with her, the apology? Whether she would take the place of Mercy?

8. A film for thirtysomethings? Reflecting contemporary experience? Men, their self-image, their achievements, their lack of emotional development? The challenge of love, transforming?

9. The irony of the name – Mercy as the girl and mercy as a theme for symbolising relationships and developments?