SURRENDER

US, 1987, 95 minutes, Colour.
Sally Field, Michael Caine, Steve Guttenberg, Peter Boyle, Jackie Cooper, Julie Kavner, Louise Lasser.
Directed by Jerry Belson.

Surrender is a piece of romantic fluff, written and directed by comedy writer Jerry Belson. It is well acted by the principals, especially a spoof of the yuppy by Steve Guttenberg. It is a story of success, career, temporary and permanent relationships, money. However, it is all rather strained.

1. Amusing comedy? Light treatment? Characters, problems?

2. Glossy Los Angeles settings, the world of the affluent? Homes? Art? Musical score?

3. The title and relationships?

4. Shaun and Michael Caine's performance? The successful author? His womanising? His divorces and the judge giving away his income? His relationships and women suing him? The exasperation of his lawyer? The party, being tied up with Daisy? Infatuated by her, following her up, not telling her about his success and the money? The relationship, sharing, his showing her the manuscript and her criticisms of it? Avoiding the issue of money? His encounter with Marty and disliking him? The possibility of commitment? Going to Daisy's, her discovery of the truth, his reasons for lying to her? Her winning the money and his reaction? The finale, the transvestite and his encounter, the money? The finale with Daisy and their being tied up? The satire on the womanising author?

5. Daisy, her painting, her hopes, her relationship with Marty - and his self-centredness? Her talking to Ronnie at the painting work? The encounter with Shaun, being tied up? Attracted to him, her problem with telling the truth and lying? Going out, sharing with him, the affair? Marty's return and her sympathy for him? Her visit to her father, wanting the money? The truth about Shaun, encountering him? Las Vegas and her win, the money? The finale with telling Marty that she couldn't stay with him, going with Shaun, being tied up?

6. Marty, the yuppy, following every trend, his legal work, relationship with Daisy, self-preoccupation? Money, health, exercise, etc? In Africa, his return and changing sides? His facetiousness? Presumptions about Daisy, living with her, marriage? His losing out - and the irony of his being bought out for $50,000?
7. The lawyer, his work for Shaun, exasperation, advice?

8. Daisy's father, wealthy, his moral standards, giving her money?

9. Ronnie, her friendship, listening to Daisy, her own pregnancy, the birth of the child? The human touch?

10. The setting for this kind of light romantic comedy? Exploration of values?