HOW TO MAKE LOVE LIKE AN ENGLISHMAN/SOME KIND OF BEAUTIFUL

US/UK, 2014, 99 minutes, Colour.
Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayak, Jessica Alba, Malcolm Mc Dowell, Duncan Joiner, Brian Mc Kenzie, Merrin Dungley, Ivan Sergei, Marlee Matlin, Lee Garlington.
Directed by Tom Vaughan.

Reaction to this film would be rather mixed. It has some of the ingredients of a romantic comedy but with the hero so old, Pierce Brosnan at 60+, younger audiences would not be so sympathetic, especially in his affair and then marrying the younger Jessica Alba. And then she leaves him for a younger man saying that she was too young to be married. And then there is Salma Hayek, not so young either, having difficult relationships and then being the woman who is going to change the hero’s life. There is a young boy also involved. And there is the hero’s father, played as an old roue by Malcolm McDowell? – but who is also effective in the scenes where he has to change his moral stances and admit his loneliness and his past life. Though he looks much older, Malcolm Mc Dowell is in fact only 12 years older than Pierce Brosnan.

There is a surprise cameo appearance by Oscar-winner, Marlee Matlin.

The film was directed by Tom Vaughan who has had a mixed career in films and television, who made the entertaining film about BBC television’s University Challenge, Starter for 10.

1. The curiosity value of the title? The alternate title, Some Kind of Beautiful?

2. The themes, the characters, relationships, sexuality, exploitation, glib argumentation for behaviour? Some kind of moral evaluation?

3. The British settings? Universities? The transition to the United States? University campus, apartments, homes, the coast, the California weather? The musical score?

4. Introduction to Richard, narrating his story, talking to his son?

5. Richard, his past, growing up, his father, lecturing at the University, his four marriages, his tone, reckless? The influence on Richard? Imitating his father’s behaviour, sexual relationships?

6. Richard, his age, his career, his relationship with students? His teaching the Romantic poets, the quotations from the poets, their lives, his trying to communicate? His father and the students? Richard and the students board, texting et cetera? His relationship with Kate, student? Ethical issues? The decision to marry?

7. Kate, a character, a relationship with Olivia, confiding in her? Olivia, her character, her relationships? The initial encounter with Richard and the antagonism?

8. Kate, pregnant, the birth of the boy? Richard in the United States? The lack of interest by students? Angela, her liking Richard, trying to promote him? The short tenure, the new job? The professor, his coming to listen to the lecture, Richard and his desperation about his green card, ditching his preparation, talking more personally to the students, the listening, the professor, the social, Richard and his drinking, the professor visiting and Richard getting the job?

9. Richard in America, caring for his son? Kate, falling out of love with Richard, talking about her being too young? Her relationship with Brian, leaving? Richard and disbelief? Kate developing her relationship with Brian?

10. The continued encounters with Olivia, her own life and relationships, minding the boy, the unspoken attraction, the sexual encounter, the consequences? The affair, Kate discovering, a reaction?

11. The visit of his father, coming out of England, memories of England, his fourth wife and relationship with her, her leaving? Talking with his son, the clash? His becoming ill, straight talking? His liking for the family, the gift for Jake, Jake opting for him?

12. Richard, his drinking, driving, the police? His having to go for the 12 steps? His resistance? The possibility for his being deported, his change of attitude? The irony of the member of the group and her later being revealed as part of the deportation review? The grim view of the deportation offices?

13. His return to England, his agent in America, the visits to the office, the University, his being accepted, his return?

14. His relationship with Olivia, discovering love for the first time?

15. The romantic comedy aspects? The issue of age? Affairs, marriage, divorce, children, custody? In a romantic comedy where most of the characters were not particularly likeable or admirable?