GRIFFIN AND PHOENIX

US, 2006, minutes, Colour.
Dermot Mulroney, Amanda Peet, Blair Brown, Alison Elliot, Sarah Paulson, Lois Smith.
Directed by Ed Stone.

Griffin and Phoenix is a remake of the 1970s film which starred Peter Falk and Jill Clayburgh.

It is a love story, a romance, with characters growing in love and intimacy. But the key is that they both have terminal illnesses.

The film is more frank than usual about the nature of illness, of terminal illness and the effect on those who will die.

Dermot Mulroney is Griffin, in a failed marriage, having a son, diagnosed with his illness, trying to work out how best to live the rest of his life. At a university seminar on death, he encounters Phoenix (Amanda Peet), a vivacious young woman. They continue to date, fall in love, prepare for death and have a plan that they will not see each other in hospital – something which, of course is impossible.

The film will appeal to romantics.

1. A remake of the 1970s film? A love story? An illness story?

2. The audience response to the love story, a couple growing in love, facing death?

3. A film explicit on death, acknowledging its reality, its impact on those dying, on others?

4. Griffin, his character, the failed marriage, his son, the separation? Going to the doctor, the diagnosis of his illness, the limited time, its effect on him? His changing his life, work, relationship to his family? Using his time?

5. Going to the seminar, the lecturer and his reactions, Griffin laughing, climbing to Phoenix, talking?

6. Phoenix, attractive, at the lecture, the talk with Griffin, her work, her secretary?

7. The continued meetings, the growing attraction, together, serious, the jokey attitudes and their daring to break the law?

8. The growing intimacy, the effect? Griffin’s son, Phoenix’s gift?

9. Phoenix discovering the books, her reaction, anger with Griffin? The revelation that he was dying? The effect on her? Their plans?

10. Hospital, Griffin going to see Phoenix, the discussions about whether to visit or not? The revelation of their characters in these circumstances?

11. Audience empathy for the characters, their illness, their love, their dying?