TWO OF A KIND

US, 1982, 102 minutes, Colour.
George Burns, Robby Benson, Barbara Barrie, Cliff Robertson, Frances Lee McCain?, Ronny Cox.
Directed by Roger Young.

Two of a Kind is a pleasing telemovie, one of those frequently made telemovies which highlight particular problems family and social, that come up in American society and, indeed, society all over the world. It focuses on a family, an adolescent retarded boy and an ageing grandfather. Both of them are seen as problems - but, of course, they rely on each other. When the grandfather goes to an institution and feels isolated and refuses to participate in anything, it is the visits of the boy and his gradually getting his grandfather to come alove again that give warmth and purpose to the film. It has a strong cast with George Burns as the grandfather and Robbie Benson as the boy. They both offer their usual style - and it matches well with pathos and humour.

1. A humane telemovie? Enjoyable? For the home audience?

2. A popular presentation of family and social problems? The telemovie and its influence on people's behaviour, moralising?

3. The title and the link between the boy and his grandfather? The boy retarded but with great ability and sensibility? The contrast with the retardation of senility? Qualities of simplicity, honesty, shrewdness, spontaneity, emotion? The way that each was regarded by society? Each, in his own way, an outcast? Having to cope?

4. The introduction to Noel: his name and its importance, the party, his,friends, turning 21? Mother, Dottie and care, patient, love, time, protection? The father and his concern with money, what it is to be truly a man, the strong macho presuppositions, Noel as an embarrassment, making him have his first glass of beer - a sign of manhood, discussions about schooling?

5. Robbie Benson and his manner and style, gesticulations? Impersonating the retarded youth? Alert, excited (and the use of pills), aerobics and classes and their effect, home fights, the ride, relationship with his grandfather, the visit and his disappointment, the effect, hurt? Silent at home, in class? Going again? Teaching his grandfather? Dancing, exercise?

6. The sketch of the parents - their relationship, their fighting, views, relationship to the grandfather, to Noel? Disappointment, the father's behaviour and his having to cope, the visit to the school, taking strong stands, leaving home, Noel lost, the end?

7. Noel and his ability at school, home, sensitivity? Irene and the drive, danger and humour? The bike? Love for his grandfather, hurt, presence, communicating? Taking him out, meals, clubs, hiding, the invitation, persuading him to play, hitting the window, the two of them and their aerobics, the capacity to talk? The strong bonds between the two? The drink, the prostitutes? The mini-golf win and its importance? Leaving school, the decisions, Noel truly being a man?

8. George Burns and his manner and style as the grandfather, background, place in the home, going to the institution, sitting, apathy, his shrewdness with the pills and not swallowing then with Noel's advice, his initial lack of response, the reaction of the hospital staff, their presuppositions about medication and quiet, his hurting others - Irene? His eventually responding to Noel, going out, the clubs, the window, aerobics, talking, coming to life again, the pills? The mini-golf, the meal, the prostitutes, return? The treatment of the aged?

9. The school and its positive approach, the importance of the interview?

10. The attitude of the hospital staff, medication, quiet-ng the patients? The film's critique of this approach to the aged?

11. The humanity of the issues, the importance of humane dealing with people in society and its repercussions for the quality of life?