CHARLIE BUBBLES

UK, 1967, 89 minutes, Colour.
Albert Finney, Liza Minnelli, Billie Whitelaw, Colin Blakely.
Directed by Albert Finney.

Charlie Bubbles is an art film, written by Shelagh Delaney (A Taste of Honey) and directed by Finney. While it is presented realistically, it is really a collection of episodic impressions of Charlie in his relationships with a friend, a mistress and an estranged wife. Each episode is well done, but Charlie's personality is not the most engaging and the audience tends to observe him rather than feel with him. (Five Easy Pieces is somewhat similarly constructed, but is filled out better.) And Charlie Bubbles just ends - a modern art ending - which might seem just right for the series of episodes, but which will probably be quite annoying for those who like their films to be brought to a realistic conclusion. An interesting film for selective audiences.

1. The quality of Charlie Bubbles' life - as a writer, as a hack, as a success, as irresponsible?

2. Was he likeable, interesting, sympathetic? Was he an ordinary, typical man of today?

3. What was revealed to us of him when he was with his friend? Anything of value?

4. His relationship to his secretary-mistress?

5. His relationship with his estranged wife?

6. His relationship with his son? His success as a father?

7. The end - a dream, an escape, irresponsibility, meaningless?