STRIKE IT RICH

US, 1990, 88 minutes, Colour.
Molly Ringwald, Robert Lindsay, John Gielgud.
Directed by James Scott.

Strike It Rich is based on Graham Greene's novel Loser Takes All. (Loser Takes All was filmed by Ken Annakin in 1956 with Glynnis Johns, Rossano Brazzi and Robert Morley in the central roles.) This film has the same setting, the tones of 1956 in London and the transfer to the Riviera and Monte Carlo under the young Prince Rainier.

The film is a piece of light comedy, focusing on the relationship between Robert Lindsay (Bert Rigby, You're a Fool) and Molly Ringwald. He works as an accountant in a big company, he meets her at the bus stop, falls in love and they plan to marry. The wedding takes place in Monte Carlo where they had their honeymoon. John Gielgud gives yet another interesting performance, bringing to life a very small and conventional role as the tycoon who knows little about business, loves his yacht, makes extravagant promises to people and then forgets to follow them up. The film is quite slight, the principals not particularly engaging, though they have their moments of charm. However, it is an entertaining piece of froth.

1. Light entertainment? Romance? The gambler's dream?

2. The London settings, the black and white tone of 1956? Work in offices? The bus stops, the collage of Bertram and Cary's meetings? The musical score?
3. The title - and Graham Greene's original title, Loser Takes All?

4. Ian Bertram telling his story, 1956, his steady work, the accountant, the long corridors of the offices, black and white? The colour of the streets, seeing Cary at the bus stop, her glove, meeting her on the bus, calling out, phoning her, the outing? His own life, working on his maths problems? The background of his broken marriage? Love at first sight, the proposal? Their getting to know one another - the falling in love?

5. At work, his being summoned by the Grand Old Man? Gruether (and his being seen on the cinema newsreel on his yacht with the starlets)? His clash with the other shareholders? His not understanding things in the company? Preference for his yacht? Asking Bertram to help? Being impressed, hearing about his holiday, offering him the honeymoon on the yacht?

6. Cary, her English background, time in America? Going back home? Attraction towards Bertie? The outings, falling in love, agreeing to marry him? The preparations for going to the Riviera - the postcard views, imagination - and then the reality of going?

7. The Riviera, the 1950s, the glamour of Monte Carlo? Hotels, the royal suite and Farouk having been there? The casino? The marriage - and the humorous preparations, the dress, the horse and cart - and Cary with her tradition of superstitions? Gruether's absence? The wedding ceremony, the wedding day, discussions about money? The happiness of their being in love - and their talk the night before the wedding, Cary coming across the balconies?

8. The casinos, their interest, the young man and his eating the roll? Cary wanting to bring good luck to the various gamblers - and their reactions? The man with the system, Bertie looking at it, giving him a whisky, working on the formulae and perfecting the system?

9. Bertie, watching the system, getting the money from Cary? His going back, winning? His glum face - and the irony that he had won? His continuing to go, neglecting her, preoccupation with the system? His having to lose, his having to win? Gruether's non-arrival? Their concern about the money, eating rolls only? The kindness of the manager, the interview - and his offering the gift of money to Bertie?

10. Cary and her feeling neglected, her interest in the young man, his having given her the money? Going out with him - and his proposal? Her enjoying the night on the town? The clashes with Bertie? His inability to hear her? His losing her?

11. Gruether's arrival, his not remembering his promise? His trying to make good? Inviting Bertie to the yacht?

12. Bertie, his plan to take over the shares in the company, the grim-faced owner and his being in the wheelchair, with his nurse? The deal and his need to win the money to buy the shares? His change of heart? His wanting to win Cary back, going to the cafe, offering the money to the young man - and his taking it? His ignoring Cary in the casino? Her decision to leave, the railway station, Bertie chasing her - and catching her just in time? His having given all the money away? Loser takes all?

13. Their going to the yacht, the welcome by Gruether? The romantic ending - and Gruether offering Bertie the higher job?

14. The background of Graham Greene's entertainment - the light touch, yet the temptation of winning everything and gaining everything and losing love?