THE YELLOW HANDKERCHIEF

US, 2008, 103 minutes, Colour.
William Hurt, Maria Bello, Kristen Stewart, Eddie Redmayne.
Directed by Udayan Prasad.

While The Yellow Handkerchief begins with a man released from prison, this is a rather gentle film. William Hurt portrays a worker who accidentally kills a man in a fight and goes to prison. He has been in a relationship with a middle-aged woman, played by Maria Bello, whom he wants to marry. On his leaving prison, he encounters a young man, Eddie Redmayne, who is itinerant, native American Indian, driving around the United States. He also sees a fifteen-year-old girl, played by Kristen Stewart before the Twilight films, and through a series of circumstances, especially deluge weather, they make a journey towards New Orleans, some suspicions, some trust, some misunderstandings, some truth-telling. The film ends optimistically.

The film was directed by Udayan Prasad, an Indian director who has worked mainly in the United Kingdom, especially in the late 90s with race-themed films, My Son the Fanatic and Brothers In Trouble. The film offers a benign look at human nature, offending others but being forgiven, reconciliation and love.

1. The title, the end, the yellow banners to welcome Brett Back?

2. Louisiana, the towns, the river, motels, abandoned buildings, New Orleans and the waterfront, the hospitals, the destruction from Katrina? Authentic feel? Musical score?

3. The film as a road movie, travellers, their interactions? The goal of the journey?

4. An odd trio, fate and destiny bringing them together, their interactions, differences, their talking, truth, love? Trust?

5. Brett, the scenes of his leaving prison, the release, others with someone to meet them? His going into the town, the cup of coffee, watching the teenagers out the window, listening to Gordy and his questions about cameras? Travelling south, Gordy and the car, the group together, the ferry, the pouring rain? His mailing the postcard? His personality?

6. The flashbacks, their being inserted throughout the journey, Brett’s memories, happy memories, his work on the rig, his meeting May? The discussion about the job, his making the advances, working, May repelling him? Their talking, his comments about her face, love, the proposal of marriage? The tensions? Their being together, her pregnancy, the miscarriage and its effect? On her? On him? Blame? Brett and his lifelong sense of failure? His fight, his going to prison? May’s visit? His decision to send the postcard?

7. Martine, at fifteen, the story about her father, travelling with him, her interaction with the boys, her being put off by Gordy, accepting the lift, wanting to go south, to New Orleans? Trusting Brett? The ferry, the rain, the motel, Gordy and his advance and her anger, Brett and his looking after her, her staying with Brett and talking when Gordy left? Eliciting Brett’s story from him, Gordy’s return, the gas leak, the abandoned building, the photos and Gordy’s skill? Talking with Gordy, acceptance?

8. Gordy, the photos, Native American background, camerawork, photographing Martine, the car, the cash that he was carrying, paying for the ferry, the rain, in the room, his advances, his reaction to Martine? His leaving the car, returning because no public transport, buying the coat, awkward, faux pas? Talking with Brett? The gas leak and fixing the car? Talking with Martine, changing?

9. Listening to Brett’s story, the interruptions, continuing?

10. New Orleans, the images of the city? Disruption? May not seeming to be home? Going to the waterfront – the ship, the yellow banners – May and Brett being reunited? Martine and Gordy happy with the achievement of their goal?