MEATBALLS

US, 1979, 99 minutes, Colour.
Bill Murray.
Directed by Ivan Reitman.

A pleasant Canadian comedy. It takes the northern hemisphere phenomenon of the Summer Camp and shows us a cross-section of ordinary kids and ordinary supervisors at such a camp. It contrasts with the ethos of the wealthy elitist camp. In its brief space of time it shows most of the conventions and the events over the summer - from good comradeship, sports, competitions. There are some enjoyable character sketches of the supervisors and some humorous sequences. A Canadian production, the film is very good humoured and slight.

1. How entertaining a film? For what audience was it made? Youngsters, adults?

2. The film's impact for a Canadian audience, American, international? A Canadian production? Locations, atmosphere?

3. The location photography, the world of the summer camps and the authenticity of this world? Audiences readily identifying with it?

4. The importance of the songs, the jaunty musical score, the lyrics?

5. The appeal of the summer camps? Parents and their hopes for their children, kids and their wanting to go or not wanting to go, participation, fears, competitiveness? The supervisors and the reasons for their going, friendships, relationships with the children, with one another? The activities of the summer camp?

6. Tripper as the focus of the film? The opening of the film with his waking up and his announcements? His organizing the kids for the camp? The humour of his interview with the television announcer and his pretending to be from the elitist camp and mocking it? The mocking touch in his character and behaviour? His relationship with Morty as the main organizer? His playing jokes on him yet his friendship? The clashes with Roxanne and yet his love for her? His befriending of fludy and sharing, things with him, training him, giving him the opportunity to win the marathon? His relationship with the supervisors, with the kids? The card game with Itudy, the running sequences, the various places where Morty's bed was placed, the basketball match, the dance, his sense of achievement, his love for Roxanne? A North American type? how likable?

7. Morty and the type who runs summer camps, his organization, his attitude to his supervisors, their playing tricks on him? Competitiveness? a good camp for ordinary children? The humour of his bed sailing down the river at the end?

8. The contrast of the elitist camp and the ordinary camp? The buses, the T.V. interview, the clashes on the basketball field and the device of winning by pulling down the trousers? The various sports events ? the cup race, the eating of the sausages, the seriousness of the marathon? ? Differences in manner, dress, resources? The activities at the camp ? the loud-speaker announcements, the huts, food, organization? The type of children at summer camps ? the scenes with the parents sending them off? Audy embodying the type that was sent away unwanted? Loneliness and yet the possibility of making friends?

9. The group of supervisors and the cross-section of boys and girls? Their managing the kids, romantic friendships, their boasts? The scene with the boats, huts, removing Morty's bed, Larry and the spying on the girls, the playing of basketball, the trek and the night out, the dance, the competitions? The happy ending and the singing?

10. The picture of Audy as the precocious type, lonely, achieving and the joy of the marathon?

11. How telling was the observation of children and adults?

12. How well did the film communicate the feel of its characters and the summer camps, the North American atmosphere? Humour, problems, sentiment?