BELIEVE IN ME

US, 1971, 90 minutes, Colour.
Jacqueline Bisset, Michael Sarrazin, Kevin Conway, Antonio Fargas, Allen Garfield, Katherine Helmond.
Directed by Stuart Hagman.

Stuart Hagman directed a few television series episodes and the film about protest against the Vietnam war, The Strawberry Statement (1970).

Believe in Me is one of the earliest Hollywood films about the prevalence of drug-taking and the consequences of addiction. Michael Sarrazin stars as a trainee doctor who is a caring man and has great prospects. He meets Jacqueline Bisset who works in a bookshop. They fall in love, seem to have the future all before them, begin to take drugs including speed and soon collapse into addiction. The doctor is introduced to heroin when he is unable to pay his bills. The collapse is tragic with the two having to part, the doctor lost in the drug world, his girlfriend trying for rehabilitation.

There have been many films since but this film is of interest as indicating some of the themes at the end of the 60s. The leads were at the beginning of their careers and give strong performances.

1. The significance of the title for the themes of the film? The original was called "Speed is of the Essence". Would this have been a more appropriate title for the drug theme? The significance of the background song?

2. How enjoyable was the film? Was it too grim, didactic, moralizing? Was there a balance between plot and moralising? Did the situation seem authentic or too contrived to make a point?

3. What was the aim of the film-makers in making such a film? To utilise the drug scene of the early 1970s? the love story atmosphere, to warn about the dangers of drugs? For what audience was the film made? What effect did it have?

4. Comment on the romantic love story atmosphere of the film, the love story style, the colour, the music, young stars etc?

5. How plausible was the plot? How authentic did it seem? The identification of the audience with the characters? The impact through this?

6. Where did audience sympathies lie? With Remy or Pam? Both? What point of view did the film-makers take?

7. How attractive a character was Remy? The initial presentation of his work as a doctor, his ability to relax, his tensions? In what did he emerge as a weak character? The drugs to keep him going? His response to emergencies and the need for medical help? His capacity for relating to people, dedication, love? His concern for Matthew? His home, his way of life? His taking of drugs, how credible? His relationship with Pam and her changing him? Yet his dependence on drugs, stealing them, his dismissal? His irresponsibility in his work? The authenticity of his involvement with the drug pushers? The five hundred that he owed them? The anger in his life? His dragging down Pam? His giving up his interest in life? What future did he have? Was this tragedy avoidable? What kind of a hero for the film was Remy?

8. How interesting was the character of Pam? Could audiences identify with her? The presentation of the ordinary American girl, nice girl, in her work, relationship with her brother, friendship with Remi? The impact of Remy’s love in her life? The romantic sequences, parks and beaches etc? Her response to him and the influence of Remy on her life? Their apartment and her decorating of it? Her decision to go on drugs? The horror of the
Drug life? The degradation and sharing this degradation? How horrible was the change? Her decision then to change? What future did she have at the end?

9. The importance of Ann’s brother? What Remy might have been as a doctor, helping the poor? His attempts to help Pam? His advice being taken at the end?

10. Comment on the film’s presentation of the ugly world of the drug pushers, their methods, the degradation of drugs?

11. The commentary in the character of Matthew, as a person, his final ravings, the death on the slab?

12. How well did the film present the contrasts of moods, happiness and unhappiness?

13. The significance of the happiness for two people, the positive attitude to life? The nature of unhappiness and hurt. the degradation, starvation, Pam’s being forced to eat the chocolate sauce etc?

14. The presentation of human relationships and mutual influence? How strong is this in comparison with ideas, advice?

15. How realistic was the presentation of the reality of drugs, the danger, of drugs, modern culture and drugs? The vivid sequences of Pam’s and Tommy’s injecting themselves? The extent by the end of the enemy's taking of drugs and hurting, himself physically?

16. How valuable a film on drugs?