MARY AND MARTHA

US, 2012, 90 minutes, Colour.
Hilary Swank, Brenda Blethyn, Sam Clafin, Frank Grillo,Lux Haney-Jardine?, Nolothula Ledwaba, James Woods.
Directed by Phillip Noyce.

Mary and Martha was written by Richard Curtis, better known for such comedies as Mr. Bean and Notting Hill. He wrote the screenplay in connection with ‘Red Nose Day’ in the United Kingdom, a day for inspiring people to contribute to causes.
The film was made for television, for the widest audience possible who would respond more emotionally and intellectually to its story and themes. It is a film that is in the tradition of films of inspiration.
The director is Phillip Noyce, who has made many serious films as well as a number of action films – from Rabbit-Proof? Fence to Salt. He made Catch a Fire in South Africa in 2006. He was lucky to have Hilary Swank and Brenda Blethyn as the two mothers, one with a very American background, the other with a modest British background. But each has a son who dies from malaria in Mozambique and they are united in their grief and the challenge to do something positive – which leads them to campaigns and speaking to American government hearings.

1. A message film? An inspirational film? A cause?
2. The title, the focus on the two women, the grief, the basis for friendship? Volunteering and service?
3. The introduction to each story, the contrast between the U.S. and the U.K.? The interconnections?
4. Hilary Swank as Mary? Her style, screen presence, seen with her family, her husband’s work, the love for her son, his being bullied at school, her vigorous response? The idea for personal education, searching for a place to go, the decision for Africa? Her husband and his response? His inability to go? The planning, arriving, the guide, the experience of Africa, from the comfort of all bass, but discovering a new culture, this technological, if and food, different people? Making friends? Deeper understanding? The excursions? The visuals of the African animals? The conversations through the computer? Contact with the father?
5. The mosquito net, leading to death, shown in the flashbacks, the joy leading to sadness? The funeral?
6. George, his age, at school, being bullied, introverted at home, his joy in the experience of Africa?
7. Mary returning, brooding, not going out, alienation from her husband, blaming herself, the decision to go back to Africa?
8. Peter, his love for Mary, love for his son, working, the contact with them in Africa? His grief, the funeral? His trying to support Mary, feeling that she might leave him, puzzled by her?
9. Brenda Blethyn as Martha? Her screen presence and style? Accent? Very British? Middle class, working class? At home, her quiet husband, love for her son, hopes for him, the football matches? His going to Africa, teaching, relating with children, exuberance, the girlfriend and love, his happiness? The sudden impact of his death?
10. Martha going to Africa, meeting Mary, chatting, trip in the car, Martha and meeting the children, seeing the places where he son worked, the dormitories, the school? The photos? Martha and her deciding to stay, working with the children, the bond with her son’s girlfriend? Teaching, working with the material, happy? Her husband’s visit and her not going back with him? Love petering out? The arrival of the new teacher and her feeling that she should move on?
11. Martha’s phone calls to Mary, in the night, keeping contact, sharing? Coming to visit?
12. Mary, her going to Washington, pleading her cause with the senator, lack of availability, his asking her questions and are not knowing the answers? The decision to do research? Mother working with her, preparing the PowerPoint? presentations, getting more information?
13. Mary’s strained relationship with her father? His putting work ahead of his family? After george’s death? Mary deciding to visit her father, ask his help, her disappointment, but his helping, ideas, contacts?
14. Discussions with her husband and the issue of blame, the reconciliation?
15. The appointment in Washington, their whole going as a group? The hearing, Mary and her presentation, her personal story, tears, mother and her emotional plea?
16. The achievement, greater awareness of malaria, the possibility of its being treated with aid from America and beyond?