THE BIG BOUNCE
US, 1969, 102 minutes, Colour.
Ryan O'Neal, Leigh Taylor Young, Van Heflin, Lee Grant, James Daly, Robert Webber.
Alex March.
The Big Bounce was Ryan O'Neal's first feature film. He and his then wife Leigh Taylor- Young were working in television's Peyton Place. They make an offbeat couple in this somewhat unpleasant glamorous film. It begins with the atmosphere of Monterey and the social problems of the area - but soon moves into a portrait of a dropout, a precocious nymphet who manipulates him for her own purposes. There is a reasonably good supporting cast led by Van Heflin. The treatment is glamorous in the '60s style. Music is by Mike Curb. The film did not have wide release when it first came out. Ryan O'Neal depended on his performance in Love Story for his success.
1. A plush vehicle for a new star? Sixties content and style? Dropouts? Glamour? The film in its time? Now? Dated - the '60s becoming 'historical'?
2. Lavish Warner Bros. production, colour, Panavision? Monterey locations? The Mike Curb score?
3. The social setting with racial issues, work, justice, violence, wealth, exploitation? The establishing of the setting, the raising of issues - and little done with them?
4. The initial focus on Jack and his violent clash with the baseball bat? His background, war service? The film becoming a romantic melodrama focussing on Jack? The '60s glamorous style hero, dropout? (Well groomed variety!) The conventional story of the wanderer manipulated by a woman, the involvement in crime, infatuation and love, vengeance and decisions? His resenting being used?
6. The importance of the affluent backgrounds? How effectively were they used? How real?
7. Ryan O'Neal's style as Jack? Type, being ousted from the area, his work, clashes with Rogers. friendship with Richie? The infatuation with Nancy? The sexual liaison? (60s glamour, costumes, nudity etc.?) His work and the friendship with Sam? His relationship with the woman in Cabin 12? The hit-run episode? His discovery of the truth about Nancy? Thwarting her? His rejecting her at the end? His sense of values, integrity, right and wrong?
8. Nancy and her glamour? Age? Richie's mistress? Her taunting of Rogers? Her use of her sexuality? Nudity? Her throwing herself at Jack? Jealousy? Her plan? The irresponsibility of the hit-run episode? Her trying to shoot Jack? The finale with her smashing the wealth? Her driving off after acquittal? Her trying to pick up Jack and his rejection of her? A credible villainess?
9. Richie and his wealth. Nancy as his mistress? Richie and his power, business? Rogers and his work. attitude towards Jack, fight with him, relationship with Nancy, lust?
10. Sam and his administration of justice? Pragmatic attitude towards keeping the peace? Awareness of difficulties amongst the races and with work in the area? His decision to help Jack? Lecturing him? Supporting him?
11. Lee Grant as 'the broad in Number 12'? Pathos of her character, picking up Jack, relationship with him, Cheryl calling the men ‘uncles’? Her talk with Jack? overhearing his talk with Nancy? The pathos of her killing herself? Cheryl's reaction? Jack's support?
12. A picture of the '60s? Changing of values? Wealth? Exploitation? Race clashes? Aimlessness of the younger generation?
