LONGTIME COMPANION
US, 1990, 100 minutes, Colour.
Stephen Caffrey, Patrick Cassidy, Bruce Davison, Dermot Mulroney, Mary Louise Parker, Michael Schoeffling, Robert Joy, Campbell Scott.
Directed by Norman Rene.
Longtime Companion is the first major American film concerning AIDS. Documentaries and even television features, such as John Erman's An Early Frost, tackled the subject - as well as many low-budget features (including New Zealand's very effective A Death In The Family).
While the film has a small budget, the producers were able to persuade some name actors to perform in the film, especially Bruce Davison, who won a number of awards for his supporting actor role.
The film was written by Craig Lucas and Norman Rene, producers and playwrights. It focuses on a group of New York men over a period of eight years, using the device of looking at a day in each year from 1981 to '89. The first day is the day that there was an announcement in the New York Times about the illness affecting homosexuals. As the years progress, partners become ill, need caring for, die. There is also a change in the men in terms of their relationships, lifestyles, concern for those suffering.
The film takes for granted the homosexual lifestyle, does not make any special pleading. Where the pleading comes is in the rather visionary ending which is presented with great fervour. The film is popular entertainment designed for the wide American audience, designed for a blend of insight and sympathy.
1.The`impact of the film? American acclaim? The first major American feature on AIDS (why the long delay)? For an American audience? Non-Americans?
2.The title, the indication of relationships, the euphemism for lover?
3.The New York settings and the New York State environment? City, homes, hospitals, beaches, television stations? Authentic atmosphere? Musical score?
4.The structure of the film: the single days from 1981 to`'89? The day of the news in the New York Times? Developments of relationships, work, illness? Deaths? Abilities and inabilities to cope? The impact of illness and death? Funeral services? The concert? The final vision?
5.AIDS and the '80s? Audience knowledge of AIDS, symptoms, the nature of the illness and its effect? The effect on the immune system? Audience experience or lack of experience? Phobias? Prejudices? Information - and popular scares about the communicability of the disease? The screenplay designed to give perspective to all of these questions?
6.The characters themselves and their talk about AIDS, the gay cancer, the initial fears, not believing that it would be fatal? The growing number of illnesses and death? Comparisons plague? The question of some kind of moral retribution? The discussions of AIDS in the '80s? Fears? Coming to terms with AIDS? The longing for medication and remedy?
7.Audience response to the gay culture of New York City? To homosexuals and their relationships? Empathy, judging the lifestyle? The film taking for granted the lifestyle and values?
8.The film as a blend of drama, romantic drama, comedy, intimate relationships, the touches of soap opera, tribute to victims, final appeal?
9.The background of the gay culture, the beach holidays, parties, the special world and relationships, situated within a 'normal' atmosphere? The soap opera and the introduction of gay characters - the sensation, audiences watching, the writer and his friends watching? The kiss?
10.Willie and his work at the gym, friendship with John, on the holiday, Fuzzy in the water, the attraction? The parties, talking? The beginning of the relationship? Lisa and the relationship and friendship? John's illness and his going to hospital, the pneumonia, the puzzle
