LAY THE FAVOURITE
US, 2012, 90 minutes, Colour.
Bruce Willis, Rebecca Miller Hall, Catherine Zeta- Jones, Vinvr Vsughn, John Carroll Lynch.
Directed by Stephen Frears.
Lay the Favourite is a comic drama based on an autobiographical book by the central character, Beth. Critics and bloggers were not impressed by the film at all, dismissing it as confused and unfunny. Even audiences who like the film may be very well surprised to find that it is directed by Stephen Frears, whose over 40 years career is marked by an extraordinary diversity of films and film styles, from My Beautiful Launderette to Dangerous Liaisons, from The Grifters to Liam, from Mrs Henderson Presents to Philomena.
Beth presents a very bad impression at the beginning, a would-be stripper for private clients, absolutely ditzy in her speech and manner, deciding to go to Las Vegas to be a cocktail waitress. Las Vegas is a union town and she is not likely to get a job but is referred to Dink, Bruce Willis, who runs a betting agency. She becomes a bit more serious, shows that she is shrewder than we first thought, has a way with numbers on memory.
Many complications arise, including Bruce Willis having a wilful wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones?, who at first makes things difficult for Beth but soon they become good friends. Another complication is Beth falling for a journalist, Jeremy,.And then there is Vince Vaughn as another betting manager, far too carefree and careless in his work, even when Beth goes to assist him. John Carroll Lynch appears as a difficult client and all the attention of the group is focused on him, to intimidate him, to make some money, to save reputations – except that of Rosie, Vince Vaughn.
It is presumed that they live happily ever after, but we soon forget them except perhaps Rebecca Miller, an intelligent actress who often portrays intelligent characters, being absolutely ditzy.
1. A film about gambling? Winners and losers? The upbeat tone and ending?
2. The extensive negative critiques? Expectations of audiences for this film?
3. The title, gambling, the explanation?
4. The film based on a memoir, a true story, Beth’s story, comic and serious?
5. The introduction, Beth and her stripping, her clients and their reactions, the man with the gun, her fear? her parents not knowing her job? Going to her father, the discussions, the decision to be a cocktail waitress in Las Vegas?
6. Her journey cross-country, arriving in Las Vegas, her excitement, naive, going to the casino, playing the game that was for those unable to play proper games, the union rules in Las Vegas for employment? Going to the motel, meeting the girls, sunbaking, chatting, their talking about Dink, getting a life? A character, ditzy, her clothes, her silly reactions, her skill in numbers, illustrating her memory to Dink, growing shrewdness?
7. Meeting Dink, Bruce Willis, the discussions, his firm, his office, the explanations of how the betting worked, the television monitors, his controlling the bets and the percentages? His two assistants? His hiring Beth? A reaction? The work, the first phone call, her success? Getting on well with people?
8. Dink, tolerant, his business, associates, his style and work? His being attracted to Beth?
9. His wife, going on the cruise, the return, seeing Beth, antagonistic? Her having a facelift? Meeting Beth, talking, their becoming friends? Dink and his being faithful?
10. Rosie, his manner, arrival, his style, the laws in New York and in Nevada, gambling offshore? Online? Phones? His plans, celebrations and parties, with the girls? His clients? Beth the attraction? Her leaving Dink, his abrupt firing her, and going to work for Rosie?
11. Meeting Jeremy, their talking, his work, the attraction, sharing?
12. Beth and Rosie dealing with the client, getting information about him, his escape, Jeremy getting the information, Dink and his wife and Beth all going in pursuit of him, the phone call, the plan?
13. The confrontation on the phone, the client at his bluff, Beth and her bluff, bravado, the deals, the threats, his consenting? The money deal?
14. Rosie, his style, overreaching himself, failing?
15. The happy ending, Dink and his wife, Beth and Jeremy, a happy gamble?
