TORN BETWEEN TWO LOVERS
US, 1979, 95 minutes, Colour.
Lee Remick, George Peppard, Joe Bologna.
Directed by Delbert Mann.
Torn Between Two Lovers is a somewhat sensational title for quite a perceptive and telling telemovie. It is the Brief Encounter situation once again, this time in contemporary America and at Kennedy Airport instead of a private country railway station. The treatment is very American, more emphatically emotional than the subtle and suggestive British film. However, with Lee Remick in the leading role, the film is persuasive. George Peppard gives a subdued performance as the other man. Joe Bologna is somewhat strident as the husband. It is an age old situation, focusing on the dilemma for the heroine.
The direction is by Delbert Mann who made many important features of the '50s and early '60s including his Oscar winning Marty and such films as Separate Tables. There is a rather sentimental and slightly sensationalist song during the credits and at various times during the film - something of a distraction.
1. The basic appeal of this kind of 'women's film'? The soap opera tradition? The perennial theme of love and fidelity? American style?
2. The impact of the film as a telemovie? For how audiences, identification? The emotional response? Message? The identification with the moral dilemma? The pacing of the film, character delineation, pause for commercial interruption?
3. The atmosphere of Kennedy Airport for the opening? Homes in Chicago? Art galleries? The affluent American world and the way that it was presented? Audiences identifying with this world? Or not? Musical score? The theme song and its lyrics, insertion into the plot?
4. The basic plausibility of the plot: the encounter during the delay at Kennedy Airport, the background of Diane's marriage and her personality? Paul and the encounter, charm, availability? Ted and his presumptions about his marriage, his work? Infidelity? The effect on Diane? torment, decision, moral courage? Paul and his persuasiveness? Ted and his anger, over-reaction? The possibility of reconciliation and a future?
5. Lee Remick's portrait of Diane? as heroine, American woman, wife, mother? Her age? The encounter at Kennedy Airport with the poster, the enjoyment of the shared experience of talking? The comparisons with her coming how, her relationship with her husband? Taken for granted? Family, friends? The pressure Paul put on her? Her decision not to see him and her breaking it? Falling in love? The moral pressure for her to be have otherwise? The build-up of the dilemma? Her happiness with Paul, the hurt to Ted and family? What persuaded her to break with Paul? and the way she was able to do it? The return? An appropriate solution for the situation?
6. The portrait of Paul, charm at the airport, background, wealth, profession? Seeking out Diane, enjoyment of her company? The confrontation with Ted? His putting pressure on Diane? His disappointment in Diane's choice? A plausible alternative for Diane?
7. Ted, the ordinary husband, taking for granted his relationship with Diane, the years and their build up? His work? His reaction to Diane's telling him the truth? Hurt, anger? overreaction with his secretary? His trying to understand Diane's situation? The bitterness, inarticulate response? The possibility of building the marriage again?
8. The portrait of the minor characters and their support? the family situation, friends, secretary? How well delineated? Their involvement in the action?
9. The atmosphere of soap opera and romance? the long lingering scenes of restaurants, meetings, art galleries? The lonely walks and times for reflection? Bitterness and recriminations? How effectively handled?
10. The importance of the basic themes? An understanding of love, fidelity? The testing of love and fidelity? Hurt, pain, integrity?
