WEEP NO MORE, MY LADY

Canada/ France, 1992, 91 minutes, Colour.
Daniel J.Travanti, Kristin Scott Thomas, Francesca Annis, Cecile Paoli, Robin Renucci, Shelley Winters, Stéphane Audran.
Directed by Michel Andrieu.

Weep No more, My Lady is not one of the better television adaptations of a novel by Mary Higgins Clark. Filmed in France, it is a French- Canadian production, not in the vein of the several Clark adaptations of 10 years later.

It has a very strong cast who are not seen to great advantage, Francesca Annis stealing the limelight as a histrionic actress. Kristin Scott Thomas portrays her sister. there is a welcome presence of Shelley Winters – sending assault.

The film has filming episodes, martial arts at a French resort, health treatments, context for the murder of the actress, of her assistant, frogmen and an attempt on the actress’s sister.

There are many motivations, because the actress is very highly strung, clashing with her lover, Daniel J Travanti. In the end, it tends to be jealousy.

1. The popularity of Mary Higgins Clarke novels? The many television adaptations? The quality of this film?

2. The French settings, the city, the river, filming, the resort, martial arts training, health treatments, the restaurants? Affluent atmosphere? Musical score?

3. The title, the quote, the reference?

4. The credibility of the plot, the film world and moods and exploitations? The world of health resorts, drugs, sexual availability? The murders, the motivations?

5. The focus on Leila, her moods, petulant with staff, the films seen, her performance, a tantrum, driving of? Her relationship with Ted, suspicions of him? The visit of the agent and the discussions with him? The voices on the phone, the video of the jewellery purchase in London, tantalising Leila? The sister’s arrival, Ted’s arrival, Leila’s suspicions, throwing the drink at Elizabeth? The drugs, Jacques and his treatment? On the lake, with Ted, the seeming reconciliation, the frogmen, dragging her to drowning?

6. The police, the little man trying to be Poirot? The interrogations? Suspicions on Ted? Jacques and the drugs and his admissions? His wife and her gambling? The discussions with Elizabeth, taking the tape and its being raised? Judy and her place in the group?

7. Vivian Murphy, winning the lottery, a maid, coming to France, large, eating too much, avoiding exercise? Snooping, Leila’s greatest fan, the gift? The exercises, health, persuaded to have the injections? The truth? Judy killing her?

8. Jacques and his wife, running the resort, the dangers, martial arts, health, drugs, Jacques and sexual availability, the agent’s girlfriend?

9. The agent, American, loud-mouthed, fond of Leila? His girlfriend, sexual relationship, finishing of the truth? The drugs and the evening with Jacques?

10. The assistant, leaving, having the record, warning Leila, hearing, arrival, talking with Elizabeth? Death?

11. Judy, assistant on the film, the infatuation with Ted, seemingly nice? Her killing people, the frogmen suit, Leila’s death, trying to kill Elizabeth?

12. The members of the staff, helping Vivian Murphy, Richard, the attendant, and his contribution?

13. Elizabeth, persuaded to finish the film, disguised as Leila, entering the lake, the threat to her life, her being saved? With Ted?

14. Melodramatic murder mystery, a time-passer?