SYNANON
US,1965, 105 minutes, Black and white.
Edmond O’ Brien, Chuck Connors, Stella Stevens, Alex Cord, Richard Conti, Eartha Kitt, Barbara Luna, Bernie Hamilton.
Directed by Richard Quine.
Synanon is of interest in giving a glimpse of how the United States started to deal with drug addiction in the 1960s. Addicts were not accepted into Alcoholics Anonymous and there were no organisations to deal with the increasing number of addicts at the time. Synanon was founded to deal with the addicts, wean them off the drugs, offer some kind of rehabilitation – and some severe penalties for those who broke the rules.
Edmond O’ Brien is in charge of the organisation. Stella Stevens portrays an addict who wants to get off drugs and reclaim her child. Unusually, in the supporting cast, is Eartha Kitt.
The film may seem somewhat primitive because of the prevalence of drugs in later decades.
The film was directed by actor-director Richard Quine who performed in a number of films in the 1940s, began directing small-budget films in the 1950s and from the mid-50s to the mid-60s produced a number of very entertaining films including The Solid Gold Cadillac, The Notorious Landlady, How to Murder Your Wife.
1. The film was made in 1965. Is this evident in its style? In its language? In its concerns? If it seems dated, does this detract from the purpose of the film? What was its purpose in 1965? Assessing its style and what its impact must have been then?
2. Was the film helped by its documentary style? The fact that Synanon was a real place? Its presentation and open nights? The financial problems of Chuck Dederich?
3. How was Zandie the central character? How did focusing on him show the meaning of the work of the Synanon House? Did he draw audience sympathy? The sequences of his anguish at the beginning, on the beach, the symptoms of withdrawal, his taking refuge in the house, his sceptical reactions to the treatment he was given, his antipathy towards much of what was going on and his criticism, the fact that he was able to learn something there, but the fact that it did not penetrate? His ultimate failure? Did this give a realistic picture of the problems facing the Synanon people?
4. Did you agree with the style of treatment given by the staff at Synanon? Were they realistic in their attitudes towards one another? Towards those who voluntarily came? Were the encounter sequences too severe, for example the truth that was told by Raid to Joannie? The harsh treatment given to Zandie and Joannie? The blunt treatment given to Ben?
5. The sending out of Pete after he was found with drugs? Was this the only way possible to ahcieve the effects? Is this style of treatment in vogue today?
6. How interesting a group were the staff? Why did Chuck Dederich found Synanon? He put on a tough style? Was he really that tough? His speech to the open house people, his treatment of the staff and the patients? The fact that he was being pressurised for money? The point he made about being an alcoholic and not being put in prison, then being put in prison when trying to raise money for Synanon? (what comment on social justice did this make?) Batty and her speech at the open house, the change that it had in her, was this convincing? Was she helpful in the running of the place and sympathetic towards the others? Her encounters with Reid and his type of attitude towards the people in the place? The value of the open house sequence in informing the audience an well as the people about Synanon? Joannie?
7. Was Alan a convincing character? Her initial sympathy when she was trying to help Sandy? Her ups and downs and the fact that she forgot the truth? Her explanation of the toughness in the encounter group? Her love for her boy and her previous neglect? Her deceiving her husband? to go off with Zandie? Did she love him at all? Her reaction to him finally, was he merely a substitute for her boy? Why did she leave to search for him? How strong was the temptation to take the heroin? Why didn't she? Why did she return?
8. The importance of Ben in the film? The prison background, the comments on the department and his parole? His throwing his weight around in regard to Zandie? His memories of his dead wife? His relationship towards Joannie? Did you have sympathy with him when he was provoked into fighting Zandie? Was he to blame for Zandie’s going? Was his making reparation and finding Zandie too contrived? His going off at the end? Did he have any alternatives? How important was the sequence where Pete was discovered with drugs? Another failure of Synanom? How well did the authorities handle it? Would you have done the same? how strong was the temptation to take the heroin? How important were the sequences of Zandie at the end and his taking the heroin again? Being helped by his friend? They not believing that he could die? Were you sorry that he died?
9. The film ended on a hopeful note. Was this justified? How ironic was it in Dederich being taken to prison?
10. What insight into the world of drugs did the film give? The social effects of drugs? The help that in offered by generous people? The values of the civilization where people want to help others overcome their difficulties?
11. Did the film preach, was it moralistic, or was it a satisfying entertainment that communicated a message?
