LOST IN YONKERS
US, 1992, 90 minutes, Colour.
Richard Dreyfus, Mercedes Ruehl, Irene Worth.
Directed by Martha Coolidge.
Lost in Yonkers is the film version of Neil Simon's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Mercedes Rule and Irene Worth both won Tonys for their performances on Broadway.
The film is semi-autobiographical, the setting in the war years with two boys going to live with their grandmother in Yonkers while their father tried to get business as a salesman around the United States.
Irene Worth is very strong as the iron-willed and dominating grandmother. By contrast, Mercedes Rule portrays her daughter who has not fully developed and whom she considers as a child. It is an invigorating and ingratiating performance.
The film also has a good role for Richard Dreyfus as the uncle who is irresponsible. David Strathairn is the theatre usher whom the Mercedes Rule character falls in love with.
The film was directed by Martha Coolidge, whose films include Rambling Rose, Angie, Out to Sea.
1.Neil Simon and his reputation, his skill in writing comedies, his humour and one-liners? An award-winning play?
2.The re-creation of the '40s, New York and Yonkers, cars, clothes, atmosphere and decor? The musical score?
3.The title and who was lost in Yonkers: the two boys and their mother having died, the father going searching for work, with their grandmother in Yonkers? Bella and her treatment by her mother, wanting to fall in love, wanting a life? Louis and his being mixed up with criminals, his relationship with his mother? Johnny and his mental ability, with his family, unable to go to the Army, unable to marry Bella? Grandma herself and her being widowed, her still mourning the death of two children, not relating well with her living children?
4.The voice-over, the explanation of the situation, the boys, their perspective - especially the ending?
5.Their father and his grief at his wife's death? His job taking him on the road, driving to his mother's house, the plan for the boys, their reaction to living with their grandmother? Greeting her, greeting Bella? The decision about staying with their grandmother?
6.The build-up to Grandma's entry: a widow, the two dead children, her steel manner, Germanic background, Jewish background? Her reaction to the boys and their kisses? Eddie being overwhelmed by her? Her treatment of Bella, her explanation that Bella was still a child and was treated that way? Knowing Louis, his irresponsibility, being a thief? Gert and her nervousness in going to her mother's house, the frog in her throat and her change of voice? Grandma and the way she treated people, sitting enthroned, her reaction to each of the characters? Listening about the boys, the shop, the house, where the money was hidden? Louis and his reaction to his mother and to Bella's announcement of engagement? Bella and Johnny and Grandma walking out? The build-up to the significant scene between Grandma and Bella, the explanations, Bella and her telling of the truth, Grandma and her acknowledgment of herself - but only weeping when Bella went out? The boys leaving? Grandma still unhappy?
7.The portrait of the boys, their expectations, Grandma deciding who was smart or not? The letters to and from their father? Playing with the kids in the neighbourhood? The fascination with Uncle Louis? Keeping an eye out and being paid by him? The relationship with Bella, supporting her, interest in Johnny? Helping her with her explanation of the engagement?
8.Bella, her genial character, making mistakes and laughing them off, wanting to feed people, care for them? The meetings with Johnny at the cinema, the awkward talking, going for a walk? Johnny and his not having good days? Bella and getting people to ask her questions about the engagement and her explanations? Her response to the various reactions, especially Louis? Her decision to leave? The build-up to the scene where she returns home and the confrontation with her mother? The information given about her finally leaving home and sending the postcard?
9.Louis and the discussions about henchmen, his relationship with the kids, with his mother, daring them, swimming? The gangsters and the money? Giving the money eventually to Bella after being critical of her engagement?
10.Gert, her place in the family, coming over to help, her fears and nervousness of voice?
11.Johnny, as an usher, not being accepted for the war, saying he couldn't read? The proposal, the plan for the restaurant? His always finding that it was not a good day?
12.Portrait of a family, Americana, the generations, harshness, love and lack of love, the impact on the various members of the family - and the need to break free?
