THAT SINKING FEELING

UK, 1980, 93 minutes, Colour.
Tom Mannion, Eddie Burt.
Directed by Bill Forsyth.

That Sinking Feeling was the first feature film written and directed by Scots film-maker Bill Forsyth . He followed lt with the celebrated Gregory's Girl, then Local Hero. Other films include Comfort and Joy and Housekeeping with Christine Lahti.

The film is set in a fictitious Glasgow, filmed in the real Glasgow. It captures the atmosphere of the city lin the '70s, especially the world of the young unemployed. A group of actors from Glasgow theatres portrayed the youth most effectively.

The film makes social comment, as does all of Bill Forsyth's work. However, it does it through effective comedy, portrayals of human nature with which audiences can identify - and which they enjoy. There is a humorous pun In the title of the film, the feelings of the unemployed - and the kitchen sinks that they steal and sell. Most enjoyable comedy.

1. Scots comedy? Youth and unemployment? Social observation via humour?

2. The fictitious Glasgow and the real Glasgow? The city landscapes, the detail? The people in this atmosphere? Musical score?

3. The title, unemployment, the pun? The irony? The sales of the sinks, the artwork?

4. The introductlon to Glasgow, wet and cold, the unemployed youth of the late '70s, the flats, the streets, cafes? Groups of friends, no jobs, how they spend their days, hopes or not, occupying themselves?

5. Ronnie and his talking to the statue, meeting his friends, talk about sulcthe plan and its details, the execution and its success, the aftermath, his taking votes about the disposItion of the sinks?

6. The range of boys in the group: their appearances, clothes, friendships? The boy testing the stereo? Girlfriends? The response to the idea of the robbery, talking it over, getting others into the group, the plan, dressing up as girls, the preoccupation of how to be girls, the van driver and the knocking out of his companion, the use of the little boy as a decoy?

7. The odd and amusing details: the boy at tea with the girl and talking about dresses and make-up, later looking In the shop window? The policeman from school and handcuffing Ronnie after their chat, losing the key? The cake sales? The testing out of the stereo In the shop?

8. Doing the job, the boys tryIng to be attractive, the guard and his falling for it? The little boy decoy, the execution of the plan, the van with the knocked-out guard sitting holding the cup? Taking the sinks? The boy with the black outfit for the crime? The boy who wanted to take it as a gift? Getting away? The driver and the hospital analysis, that he wouldn't wake up till the middle of the 21st century? The debate about selling his organs? The decision about what to do with the sinks?

9. Selling the sinks, the work of art at the gallery, the get-togethers, hopes, the plan to get the ginger beer and sell it? The boy playing the guitar that he bought?

10. Comedy, wit, visual humour, strong characterisations, acute observation of human nature?