HIDE IN PLAIN SIGHT

US, 1980, 87 minutes, Colour.
James Caan, Jill Eikenberry, Joe Grifasi, Kenneth Mc Millan, Josef Sommer, Danny Aiello.
Directed by James Caan.

Hide in Plain Sight is based on a true story about a divorced man who wanted custody of his children but the children were relocated under the witness protection scheme without his consent. A worker in Buffalo, he considers himself one of the little people, and battles to win back his children.

James Caan is persuasive in the central role, and he also directed the film. He has a good cast, a sense of atmosphere, a sense of urgency about the situation.

A slice of American life, an emphasis on parents, family, concern and love. It also condemns the interference of bureaucracy in ordinary people's lives, even for what seems to be a great good.

1. A true story, families and rights?

2. The settings in Buffalo, Michigan, New Mexico? Musical score and atmosphere?

3. The title, the situation, the programme of relocating, the government?

4. James Caan's portrait of Tom: seeing him at work, with his friend Matt, in himself? Ills relationship with Ruth and his children? The visit, the playing with the children, the clash with Jack? Going out with Matt, meeting Ally, the news of the robbery, his reaction and disappearance? The mystery of his children’s disappearance? Matt and his help? The bond with Ally, her pregnancy, the wedding, His relationship with his mother? Their approach to the lawyer and his caution? Tom's anger, ramming the car of the affluent lawyer? Unemployment, being laid off, in the wrong queue? Playing pool in anger? The visit to Washington with his lawyer? Seeming to get the brush-off? The phone call from Michigan and his mother's lack of awareness, his anger? Getting the address, the drive, being pursued by the Mafia man? Tracking Jack down, saving him from the attacker? His finding the children, being reunited with them? Attitudes towards Ruth? Towards Ally? The importance of talking with the agent, the support of one of them, the press? Tom as a man, worker, father, husband, the failed marriage, the new marriage? His right to fight the government?

5. Ruth in herself, relationship with the children, with Jack? Going out, the Mafia dinner?. Being persuaded to marry Jack to protect him? Telling Tom and his anger? The phone call from Michigan and cutting off? In New Mexico? Found, with the children, the children in themselves, their love for their father;. playing with him? Reunited?

6. Ally as teacher, meeting Tom, the embarrassment, pleasant nature, helping Tom, talking things over, the fishing spot, in love, pregnant, the marriage, with his mother, her understanding, giving her support, going to the lawyer with him? With the children?

7. Matt as a good friend, arranging dates, listening to Tom, coping with his angers, caring for Ally?

8. Jack as a small,-tough thug, going to the dinner, pleased with himself, the robbery, his attack, pursued, giving up, testifying, the witness relocation programme, moving jobs, the restaurant, Tom and the Mafia catching up with him? The picture of the mob, types, pursuit and violence?

9. The government: the officer and his plan, the contrast with the views of the ordinary agent? Self-assurance, individuals' rights, the witness value, testimony and imprisonments? The intruding when Tom went to New Mexico, Ally stopping them using the phone? The second officer and his humanity, seeking out Tom and discussing things? Offering a deal?

10. The lawyer, pondering his decision, getting the help of the press, going to Washington to see the senator, his support of Tom?

11. American and universal themes? The ordinary man? His work and career? Family? Family rights?