A SPECIAL PLACE

Australia, 1981, 90 minutes, Colour.
Tracy Mann, Davina Whitehouse, Mark Lee.
Directed by Tom Jeffrey.

A Special Place is an entertaining telemovie from the Grundy Organisation. It was directed by Tom Jeffrey (director of The Removalists, Weekend of Shadows, The Odd Angry Shot and producer of films like Fighting Back). It was intended as a pilot for a series - which never eventuated. It has an effective cast. Mark Lee continues to exude charm after his performance in Gallipoli. Tracy Mann (A.F.I. winner for Hard Knocks, television actress) and New Zealander Davina Whitehouse (Sleeping Dogs, The Night Nurse) give strong performances. The film has the background of the unemployment situation and the prospects for youth in the '80s and presents these realistic ally - with the touches of sentiment, cuteness, toughness. The screenplay is somewhat implausible with its coincidences but has its heart in the right place and provides easy local entertainment.

1. Entertainment value? For the home audience? The pilot for a series - did it have possibilities or not?

2. The atmosphere of Australian cities, country towns, the beach? How authentic? Colour photography, the score and the song?

3. How plausible the characters, their experiences, the social situations? The coincidences in the screenplay e.g. Brad knocking down Debbie? The background of the city, youth, unemployment?

4. How sentimental was the film - sentiment, cuteness? The tough edge for youth with their backgrounds in broken homes. institutions, jails?

5. The importance of the unemployment background? The plight of youngsters unemployed? Homes, prisons? Lack of prospects? The need for relationships, banding together? The needs of home? The credibility of the characters and their behaviour?

6. Mark Lee's style as Steve? A pleasant young man, his family background, his being on the streets, helping those in need, his quest and visit to Mrs. Jones, his ability to persuade her to leave the institution, his relationship with Debbie and their setting up the house and the grandmother? The deal with the Philips' and the gaining of the holiday house? Mrs. Jones signing for them and agreeing to be the grandmother? The set-up and the arrival of Maureen and Rod? Steve having to cope with the situation, telling half-truths, lies? Dealing with everybody's reactions? Trying to manager Mrs. Jones? His relationship to Rod, Maureen, Debbie? Persuading them to stag and collaborate? The court case and the demands on Mrs. Jones? Debbie and the accident? His reaction against Brad and fighting him? Working in the motel? The repercussions of the lost ring? Mrs. Jones leaving ~ his visiting her and starting again? The young hero with concern for family?

7. Mrs. Jones and the institution, her loneliness, letters being sent and nobody visiting? The condescension of the staff and her reaction to this? Steve's visit, her suspicions? Hard reaction? Her decision to leave? The puzzle, the bargain and the contract? Her playing the game with the police, with the Philips'? Signing her name? Trying to get the truth, reaction to the lies? Shopping, the police and the van? Her becoming irritable with each? The hospital sequence and the difficulties with the blood types for Debbie? The growing bond between them? Help in the hospital, the court? Working for Mrs. Philips? The loss of the ring and her suspicions, accusations? Going back to the home? Starting over again? A credible character - credible performed?

8. Debbie and her age, her story, Brad and the incident at the beach - and the later hit-run accident? Her antagonism towards Mrs. Jones? Reliance on Steve? royalties with Rod and Maureen? Buying the flowers and the accident? Her mellowing? Maureen and her hopes, work, tempted to go back on the street? Rod and his toughness? The cafe and the girl paying for his meal? The background of the court, drugs, the phone calls? Parole? The postures of toughness? Discussions about loyalty especially to Steve and Mrs. Jones? Audiences thinking that he stole the ring?

9. The sketch of Mrs. Philips and her family, making a go of the guest house? Brad and his toughness, his lies, the hit-run accident, being bashed by Steve? The waitress and her friendship? The local police? Authentic supporting characters? The importance of Steve and his job - the old fisherman and Mrs. Jones forcing him to take Steve, the fishing and the great success?

10. Pleasant, hopeful, the touch of the tough? The authentic feelings of the young unemployed, the needs of families - possibilities?