DESCENDING ANGEL
US, 1990, 98 minutes, Colour.
George C.Scott, Diane Lane, Eric Roberts, Mark Margolis, Vyto Ruginis, Amy Aquino, Ken Jenkins, Elsa Raven, Richard Jenkins, Jan Rubess.
Directed by Jeremy Paul Kagan.
As the 1990s approached, there were a number of stories about the search for World War II criminals. Examples were the Australian film with Max Von Sydow and Julia Blake, Father, as well as Jessica Lange and Armin Mueller-Stahl? in The Music Box. This film was made by HBO, designed for television release.
The memories in this film are from Romania, at the time of making the film undergoing enormous changes with the dictator, Ceascau being publicly executed.
This film is different insofar as the investigation is all done in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the main investigator is a young physical education teacher engaged to the daughter of the now respectable former Iron Guard fascist, played in his inimitable way, authoritative, sometimes charming, often sinister, by George C Scott. Eric Roberts has a very good role as the young man. The daughter is played by Diane Lane.
With changes in Romania, a refugee arrives in the US, with memories of the massacre when he was seven. He is accusing the now-successful antiques dealer. This makes the young man somewhat suspicious, but situations arise which lead to the refugee’s death, other suspicious circumstances – contact with the local Orthodox bishop who supports the antiques dealer, Jan Rubes, and a journalist who had investigated the situation but had been crippled by thugs, Ken Jenkins. Richard Jenkins has an early role as the local police chief.
The film is interesting with its portrayal of the Romanian community in Grand Rapids, the continuation of the Iron Guard, the issues of conscience, that all these events happened in the past and should be left there.
The film is directed by Jeremy Paul Kagan made a number of interesting films of the time, Heroes, The Big Fix, The Chosen. His later work was in television.
1. The legacy of World War II, fascists and Nazis and their behaviour during the war, the escape from Europe at the end of the war, settling into such communities as the United States?
2. The need for retribution, for Justice? For the unmasking of the criminals?
3. 45 years since the end of World War II, the ageing of the war criminals, their covers, the respectability in their communities, the continuation of fascist guards and brutal behaviour to opponents? The importance of the Romanian Orthodox Church?
4. The Grand Rapids setting, the city, the streets, the mansions, the shops, the Cathedral, the basement, the countryside and the roads? The musical score? The Romanian songs? Image of Michael the warrior archangel?
5. The opening, the sexual atmosphere, Irina and Michael, setting the scene for the bond between them and the challenge to their love? Going to Grand Rapids to meet Irina’s father, Vera and her welcome, managing the household, Florian and his age and status, the antiquities store, the tapestry and the gift for the wedding? The meals? Serious behaviour within the house (and the couple later going to a motel)?
6. Michael, his character, earnest American, physical education teacher, going for a run each morning, his love for Irina, preparing to meet her father, trying to be discreet, some faux pas, meeting Glenn and his wife, Glenn and the past with Irina?
7. His being accosted by the Romanian, his initial reactions, continually meeting him, the man and his story, the accusation against Florian? The effect on Michael, disbelief? At the bookshop, looking at the book, the pictures of the village and the massacre, graphic? His wanting to buy the book, taking it but leaving the money, a bit short, his being accosted, the accusations of the bookseller, Glenn saving him and taking him back?
8. Florian, is a character, George C. Scott character? Age, his claiming to be the prisoner in the camp, at book and filed? Irina and Michael going to see the Bishop, the Bishop vouching for Florian, the copy of the FBI investigation? Michael later returning, finding the documents?
9. Irina, the story of her family, but her mother and her disappearance? And not knowing anything about her mother? Michael and his research, looking at the articles, going to see Sam Murray, Murray and his injuries, information for Michael? Michael going to the institution, the documents, Florian having committed his wife, her mental condition, the several attempts at suicide, her being buried, Michael with the flowers at her grave?
10. Florian and his political influence in the town, his reaction to Michael’s investigations, his explaining what happened to Irina, his justification because they were difficult times and different times, his love for her not wanting to lose her? Her reactions?
11. Michael, the phone call, taking Irina to meet the Romanian, passing the car crash? The police, his being apprehended, memories of the charge about the book and its price, his staying the night in jail, Irina releasing him on bail?
12. His determination, with Sam Murray, everybody going to the Cathedral, his going into the basement, getting the documents, the former wrestler and his role with the Bishop, his going to the Bishop’s house, locking Michael in, Sam watching, suspicious? The warning to the Bishop and to Florian, Irina in the audience watching? Michael, running, the vehicle and the pursuit, his being chased by Glenn and the wrestler? The gun, Irina coming out in front of the Cathedral?
13. The credibility of Irina being shot, her father’s grief – in the film leaving an open ending for the audience?
