A HOME OF OUR OWN

US, 1993, 104 minutes, Colour.
Kathy Bates, Edward Furlong, Soon- Tek Oh.
Directed by Tony Bill.

A Home of Our Own is a story of an American family, in the 1960s, rural Idaho.

Kathy Bates gives a strong performance as a mother of six children, her husband dead, her feisty spirit keeping the family together, her being sacked from her work in Los Angeles, cramped in an apartment in the city – and deciding to drive away and find a home of their own. They find an abandoned property in Idaho and set about negotiating with the owner, a sympathetic Japanese gentleman played by Soon-Tek? Oh. The mother’s determination is that they will build the home themselves – which they proceed to do, she working hard in a diner, the children going to school, spending their time developing each part of the house.

However, the hard work takes its toll, especially on the oldest boy, played by Edward Furlong (who had just been successful as the young John Connor in Terminator 2). The other children find it difficult, especially when at Christmas all they receive for gifts are tools for building. Tension rises between the oldest son and the mother. Tensions arise in the diner when one of the employees makes unwanted advances on the mother.

The film shows the life of the family in some detail, sentiment but not sentimentality. Miles Feulner as Murray, one of the young sons, stands out. It is he, burning the old outhouse after they get interior plumbing, who causes the whole building to be demolished by fire. While the mother wants to remain independent, the townspeople all gather round to rebuild the house.

The film was narrated as a memoir by the oldest son. The film was directed by Tony Bill, an actor who directed quite a number of films as well – and he appears in a cameo role as the doctor at the hospital.

1. A piece of Americana? Rural America in the 1960s?

2. American enterprise, self-help, not wanting to depend on charity? Yet having to learn to depend, collaborate?

3. The title, the focus on Frances and her determination to have the home? The family? Literally going to find the house, seeing it, buying the property, the building?

4. Idaho, the open terrain, the town? The contrast with the scenes in Los Angeles, factories, crowded apartments?

5. The tone of the opening, Frances working in the factory, on the assembly line? The clash with the employers? The fights? Her being fired? Her strong spirit?

6. Frances at home, with the children, hard and harsh situations? Memories of her husband and the way that she talked about him?

7. The decision to leave, driving through the countryside, the car breaking down, giving her wedding ring to pay for the repairs? The rowdy children? Finding the house?

8. Mr Munimura and his owning the property? His dealings with Frances, the discussions? His being persuaded to let the family in? Moving in? Shayne as the oldest son, the man of the house? The role of the other children? The gifts for the house, Frances and her determination and forcing the children to share her vision? Their saving their money? The discussions with Mr Munimura? His response, helping? His change of attitude and gratitude for them being in the house?

9. Frances, getting the job in the diner, her work? Norm, his friendliness, the date, his unwelcome advances and his brutality? Shayne going to the diner, fighting with Norm? The friendly customers to Frances? The sympathetic boss? Frances offering to leave, his giving Norm the sack?

10. Shayne, his age, at school, basketball, the T-shirt and its being coloured pink from the washing, the harsh attitude of the coach, sitting Shayne with the girls? The market, wanting to buy clothes? No toys? Frances and her not buying the nice dress? The cloth, making the girls’ dresses for school, the reaction of the students?

11. Shayne, his difficulties, the burdens of responsibility, his angers? His mother’s use of the strap? Angry with Murray, Frances and her reaction? Frances and her desperation – and her really whipping Shayne with the strap?

12. Christmas, the priest, offering the gifts and Frances’ refusal? The children opening the presents, finding the tools? Their being upset? Frances and her return to the priest – but the gifts all gone?

13. Shayne and his clash with his mother, the strapping, the fight? His defending his mother against Norm?

14. The progress with the house, the bonds amongst the children, forgiveness?

15. Shayne, the date, his mother letting him go, dressed up, the dance, the kiss in the car? The contrast with his mother’s date?

16. Mr Munimura, his friendship, support, driving Frances into town? With the children?

17. The plumbing, Murray and the fire, the outhouse? The home catching alight, Shayne trying to put it out, Mr Munimura helping? The fire brigade arriving too late? The complete destruction?

18. Frances, her response to the fire, stoic, deciding to build again? Everybody coming out to help, the rebuilding of the house – and Frances’ determination to pay them all back? Shayne and the voice-over – and his staying in Idaho?

19. A strong-feeling film – but with elements of American independence and toughness?