SHE'S THE ONE

US, 1996, 94 minutes, Colour.
Edward Burns, Michael Mc Glone, Maxine Bahns, Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz, Amanda Peet, Leslie Mann, Anita Gillette, Frank Vincent, John Mahoney, Malachy Mc Court.
Directed by Edward Burns.

Edward Burns' first feature, The Brothers Mc Mullen, was a critical success. It was followed by She's the One.

Burns goes over familiar ground but he's had more time and resources to think through his characters and write their situations with the humour and sympathy he showed in his first film. The Fitzgeralds are a very male family. Dad (John Mahoney) won't let women go on his fishing expeditions - and we never see his wife, important though she is for the plot. Frances (Michael Mc Glone) is the corporate yuppy living a hypocritical double life. Burns is the taxi-driver brother who by chance meets Hope (Maxine Bahns), drives her to New Orleans and marries her.

We enjoy the interactions of the men, but are glad when they have to face reality about the women in their lives and learn that the world is far broader than they imagined. Quiet but telling comedy drama.

1. A romantic comedy? The work of Edward Burns, writer, director, style? The interest in his career and styles of filmmaking?

2. New York story, the neighbourhood, the city itself, the streets, houses, apartments, offices, the boat and the water? The musical score? Songs?

3. The title, indication of romance, choices?

4. The strong cast, some of the beginning of their careers, later careers?

5. Mike, Edward Burns in this role, the Irish Catholic background, the Fitzgerald family, the tough father, his life, outspoken, his boat and love for fishing, the bond with his sons? The mother not seen? Devout, going to church, with the priest? Francis and the comparisons with Mike, younger, competitive? Mike and his freer attitude, Francis uptight?

6. The contrast with Francis, younger, serious, competitive, the rivalry as boys, Francis and his standards, success, money, Wall Street, his wife, expectations? Manner, well-dressed, always commenting on Mike?

7. Mike, the decision to drive the taxi, the past relationship with Heather, finding her naked with the lover, his leaving, having no plans? Picking up Hope, talk, friendliness, the suggestion that he drive her to New Orleans, fearing flight? Going to the friends’ wedding, the return, clicking, marrying? Going to her small apartment, no hot water, cramped…? Mike easy going, adapting?

8. The reactions to the wedding? The father in shock? Francis upset because he wasn’t the best man? Angry talk?

9. Francis and his marriage to Renée, her loving him, his indifference to sex, working in bed, not noticing the new lingerie, the speculation that he was gay and his reaction to this? His discussions, with Renée, the meal with her parents, Molly and the reactions?

10. Francis and the truth, his affair with Heather, his macho attitudes towards his own sexuality, performance, pride? His demands? Unimaginative? The credibility of this kind of character? His deceit, telling the truth to his father, to Mike, to Renée and his admitting what had happened?

11. Hope, her work in the bar, pleasant, wanting to go to Paris, the studies? The discussions with Mike, his hesitation? Connie, at the bar, her relationship with Hope and loving her, discussions with Mike, helping Mike at the end?

12. Renée, love for Francis, the sexual approach, her not suspecting an affair? Her angers, trying? Discussions with her parents, her mother’s frankness, Molly and her open talk? Hearing the truth, the divorce? The memories of the heavy man from the past, Renée preferring him to Francis?

13. Francis and Heather, Mike giving her the lift, the discussion in the cab, the visit to the apartment, taking the watch, giving it back, taking the television? Francis and his being paranoid about the television and the visit, interrogating Mike? Mike seeing him with the watch?

14. Francis and Heather, the possibilities of a relationship or not? Mike and his reactions to Heather’s behaviour, as his ex-girlfriend?

15. The father, fishing with the priest, discovering the truth about his wife? The previous visit of the sons to the shopkeeper – and their mother’s relationship with him?

16. The father, his advice, inviting Hope, the rivalry between the two brothers, the boxing gloves in the fight, Mike’s punch?

17. The father inviting Hope onto the boat, breaking a custom? Mike and his going to Paris, his love Hope,? She’s the one?

18. The skill of the screenplay in its observation on the variety of characters, situations and relationships?