COUP DE VILLE

US, 1990, 99 minutes, Colour.
Patrick Dempsey, Arye Gross, Daniel Stern, Annabeth Gish, Rita Taggart, Joseph Bologna, Alan Arkin, James Gammon.
Directed by Joe Roth.

Advertising and trailer are somewhat offputting – three Yahoos in 1963, driving a Cadillac from Michigan to Florida. However, the actual film is quite enjoyable.

The three brothers are Yahoos in their way, but there is more to them than that. They bicker, they fight but, eventually, get to know and appreciate each other better. There are tensions with their father which are faced with realism, feeling that is not sentimental.

It is not easy to like the brothers (or even their father) but the film shows how they clash and argue and, hopefully, reconcile. it is unexpectedly affecting.

1. The title, the car, a road film, travel, Michigan to Florida? A piece of Americana?

2. The variety of locations, going through the different states, the field, the terrain? The musical score?

3. The situation, the father and his sons, their growing up, their not having seen one another for five years? Organising the car, the Cadillac, from Michigan? The gift for his wife? Getting the sons together, their tensions, the bonds, the journey, their arrival?

4. The sons as kids, fighting, their personalities, the different ages, backgrounds? The clash, the journey, learning to appreciate each other?

5. Bobby, the youngest, reforms school, rebel? Buddy, more solid in character, his career, the girlfriend, yet a dreamer? Marvin, older, military, his approach to people and life?

6. Tammy, relationship with the family, with each of the brothers?

7. The portrait of the uncle and his contribution?

8. Doc, talent with cars?

9. The arrival, the relationship with their mother, the relationship with their father, sorting out some of the difficulties, some reconciliation? The touches of feeling and hope?