CURLEY SUE

US, 1991, 101 minutes, Colour.
Kelly Lynch, Allison Porter, James Belushi, John Getz.
Directed by John Hughes.

Curley Sue (played by Alison Porter) is one of those precocious American moppets that populate the screen. If this appeals, audiences with enjoy John Hughes' comedy. James Belushi (in restrained mode) wanders the country with Sue, scrounging meals and shelter with con tricks. Tough lawyer Kelly Lynch becomes their victim and they transform her into a nice, humane person. As with so many of Hughes' films (from the National Lampoon Vacation films and Mr Mom to his own 16 Candles, Breakfast Club and the more adult She's Having a Baby and Planes, Trains and Automobiles) the values are those of the family. It's all sentiment and comic fairy tale, American style.

1.For American audiences? Worldwide audiences? Children and adults?

2.The writing and direction of John Hughes? Comedy, spoof, family values and sentiment? His popular style?

3.The road, Chicago, the cold and poor city, the diners, the contrast with the wealthy city? The two worlds? Musical score, piano-playing, songs?

4.The title and the focus on Sue, her cuteness, audience empathy with her and her plight? Children in the US?

5.Bill and Sue on the road, wandering, the bonds together, poverty and dirt, their con tricks? Scrounging food? The restaurants - and their being kicked out (and Sue's later revenge)? The planned accidents, Gray as their victim? The pretence and their getting the meal? The irony of the second accident? Living in the city shelters, Sue's ring being stolen? Sue and her age, background, experience, going to Gray's, the bath and being transformed?

6.Gray as the tough lawyer, with the woman and the divorce settlement? Her relationship with Walker? Yuppy style, office, home? The accident and her reaction, the meal? The second accident? Walker finding Sue in the apartment, the violent reaction of the punches? Her growing clash with Walker?

7.Bill and Sue, the confidence tricks and their style?

8.Bill, getting a job, the effect on him, transformed? Sue and the change? Going with Gray to the restaurant, the clash with Walker? Their change of fortunes?

9.Gray and the change, being more benign, humane - with Mrs Arnold? Mrs Arnold surprised and thinking she had the wrong lawyer? The fallout with Walker? Having Bill and Sue at home? Sue, going to the home, Walker and his plot? Getting her ring back? The note and the fear that Bill had gone?

11.The happy ending, the nuclear family - and the traditional values?