MY LIFE SO FAR
UK, 1999, 98 minutes, Colour.
Colin Firth, Rosemary Harris, Irene Jacob, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Malcolm Mc Dowell, Robert Norman, Tcheky Karyo, Kelly Macdonald.
Directed by Hugh Hudson.
My Life So Far is based on the autobiography of Sir Denis Norman, later BBC director.
This is a Scottish memoir, taking place in the 1920s, a pleasing look at Scottish life, even if the family is quite eccentric. The film focuses on the young boy, Fraser, played by Robert Norman. his father, an inventor, is played in his usual style by Colin Firth, his wife played by Mary Elizabeth Mastroianni. In the household is the grandmother, Rosemary Harris.
The setting has a post world War one period feel, especially with a French aviator dropping in, played Tcheky Karyo. Then there is also the somewhat scoundrel brother, played in his usual style by Malcolm Mc Dowell, bringing his fiancee, Irene Jacob, with whom the father becomes infatuated.
There are flying sequences, there are invention sequences, there are romantic sequences, and, overall, a pleasing visit to Scotland. Direction is by Hugh Hudson who made a great impact with Chariots of Fire and Greystoke.
1. A Scottish story? True story? The author, his subsequent career, memories?
2. The Scottish setting, the estate, the scenery, the house? The period? The musical score?
3. The title, the focus on Fraser, as a baby, young boy, at the brink of adolescents? His parents? Relatives? And the significance of aunt Heloise?
4. The boy on the roof, his father cage was rescue, everybody’s concern? Growing up? His age during the film, beginnings of puberty?
5. An adventurous boy, his experiences, admiring his father and his inventions, the bond with his mother, grandmother? Curiosity, reading, the discovery of the sex photos and the repercussions? Precocious? The arrival of aunt Eloise and his infatuation?
6. The character of his father, his marriage, the many children, the bonds with them all, his mother-in-law, the inventions, the arrival of uncle Morris, the clashes with him, Morris’s pragmatic, their arguments? The importance of the factory and the production and sales? His infatuation with Eloise, together in the barn, the repercussions for her, repercussions for him, his growing infatuation, his behaviour, his wife’s response, his outbursts, the final confession?
7. His wife, a good woman, her singing career, her place in the family, the range of children, her devotion to Fraser? Details of life at home, managing? Her being hurt by her husband and his infatuation, has strong stance?
8. The grandmother, her children, the estate, the details of the life, her collapsing and Fraser thinking her dead? Her influence? The meal – and the alcohol in the desert and not realising it? Her death and its sadness?
9. Morris, life in the city, the touch of arrogance, his plans of the estate, his dismissing of the factory, his relationship with the workers? Bringing Halloween his to the estate, the age difference, his love? The buildup to the wedding, the ceremony, the honeymoon?
10. The flyer, is landing at the estate, personality, everybody’s fascination, taking Fraser on the plane ride? Elspeth, the attraction, the remains?
11. Louise as a person, her age, attractive, with Morris, the encounter with Edward, the repercussions for her, his infatuation? The interaction with Edwards wife? With Fraser? Sending the gifts?
12. A memoir, happy life, transition in age, writes passage, boy in the family, relationship to each parent, creativity and curiosity – and the subtext with Heloise?
