LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS

US, 1972, 98 minutes, Colour.
Alan Arkin, Sally Kellerman, Paula Prentiss, Renee Taylor. Directed by Gene Saks.

Last of the Red Hot Lovers is a Neil Simon comedy. Neil Simon is a caustically compassionate and witty observer of human yearning and follies, especially American style. This is a good film version of one of his plays, containing more than usual of Simon's wise insights; comic and moralizing without being heavy. Alan Arkin's performance as a 45 year old timid husband shows his versatile acting well. Sally Kellerman is outstanding in the first part and their final interchange is one of the best things in the film - a wry look at self-pity and at studied detachment. Paula Prentiss is effective as a neurotic talker and Renee Taylor is a nervous, depressed
middle-aged wife.

1. The comedy appeal of this film? The foibles of human nature? The insight into human nature, character, middle age and sexuality?

2. The quality of Neil Simon's comedy? Was it evident that the film was based on a play? Dramatic and stage techniques? The stage quality of the dialogue, situations, characterizations?

3. The significance and emphasis of the title, irony, indication of themes and treatment?

4. The initial attitude of Barney and his getting up? The type, audience identification with him? The attention to detail and comic detail, setting a tone for the film?

5. The qualities of this comedy of comment, comedy of style?

6. The details of Barney's life? The New York atmosphere, his restaurant and the way he ran it, his dedication to his work, his contact with his customers? The small details of characterization e.g., his smelling his hands?

7. The film as a comedy on middle age, sexual urge, the male menopause? The insights into the drives of a man at this age? Lack of fulfilment, The insight given during his preparation of the flat? The background of fears and inhibitions? Moral standards and the flouting of these?

8. The character of Elaine and the comedy of criticism of this type of woman? Her clothes and glasses, the neurotic type. attitude towards sexuality and seduction? Her directness, the comic style of her dialogue and talking, the pathos of her character? Her effect on him? His fear? The comment on masculine and feminine relationships?

9. The contrast with Bobbie, seeing her in the park, taking her to the flat, the comedy in her arrival, her kookiness? Her problems, drugs, acting, etc.? The satire on this type of 'mod' character? Barney and his lack of understanding her? The effect of the meeting on her, on him?

10. The party sequence and its atmosphere, the New York types? Jeanette fitting into this situation? Barney knowing her from the past? Jeanette and her hysteric personality? Why did Barney choose to seduce her?

11. The atmosphere of their going to the flat? The details of preparation? The fears, the hysteria? The surreptitious nature of the meeting?

12. The presentation of fears, struggles, Jeanette and Barney telling the truth?

13. How appropriate was the chaotic climax and its humour for this film?

14. The effect of the juxtaposition of these three episodes, the three different women, Barney's different response to each of them? How much wisdom in the understanding of human nature? Insight and values? The final irony of his arranging to meet his wife in his mother's apartment?