OUR SOULS AT NIGHT
US, 2017, 103 minutes, Colour.
Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Judy Greer, Matthias Schoenaarts, Ian Hermitage, Bruce Stern, Phyllis Somerville.
Directed by Ritesh Batra.
In the 1960s, Robert Redford and Jane Fonda appeared in the film version of Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park. Here they are together, 50 years later, quite a sympathetic couple.
Redford plays a widower, living by himself, with the daughter. Jane Fonda plays a neighbour, separated from her husband, with the sun. One night, she visits Redford, explaining how she was lonely (and so the title) and suggests that he come across to her house and be a companion and comfort each night (not for sexual relationships).
More is revealed about the past stories of each of the protagonists, Redford is not as edifying as we might have thought and his confessing to this, Fonda having difficulties with her son and the breakup of his marriage and are looking after his son. She is not so good as a grandmother, while Redford is very good, a former teacher, relates well with children.
The couple decide not to be concerned with town gossip and eventually go for a break to hotel as husband and wife.
The son, played by Matthias Schoonaerts, is not happy with the arrangement and wants his mother to come to live with him and his son. Will Redford eventually go with them or not? That ending is left for the audience to ponder.
1. The title? Interior lives? Of the elderly? Loneliness? The long nights and needs for companionship?
2. The American town, homes and streets, interiors? The cafe under gatherings? The countryside, camping in the mountains? American scenery? The musical score?
3. The introduction to Louis, Robert Redford’s screen presence? Age? At home, the paper, the television, the quiet life? Seemingly nice man? Addie and her visit, awkwardness, discussions, the proposition for him to visit her, the companionship, not for sex? His thinking it over, his agreement? Going to the house, the awkward conversations, the tour of the house, staying the night? His concern about what people thought? His friends and their gossip and insensitive joking?
4. Addie, her background, the breakup of her marriage, the death of her child while playing in the front of the house? The effect on her son? Louis teaching her son at school? Her friend, with the flowers and shrubs, the innuendo, the drive, Addie telling her the truth? Her friend urging her on?
5. Louis delete the coming and his visit, the initial awkwardness, arriving again, Addie wanting him to come to the front door? The fact that people talked? Her not caring? Their discussing their histories? Louis and his past, his marriage, his daughter, his infidelity, with the teacher, living with her and her daughter, his conscience, breaking it off? His wife’s cancer, her death? His living alone, trying to make good of his life?
6. The decision to go out together, to the restaurant for the meal, people looking, arm in arm in the street?
7. Gene and his arrival with his son, Jamie? Jamie age 7, disturbed, his mother walking out, Gene and his desperation, losing his business, his mother offering support and money? The bond between him and his mother? His needing to leave Jamie with her? His disapproval of Louis, Louis teaching him at school, Gene criticising him for the scandal of his life?
8. Louis and Addie and working with Jamie, Addie and her awkwardness, Louis and his ability with children, able to talk, play, Jamie and his games on his phone? Louis taking him out, the ballgame, to his house, putting the train together? Jamie excited, coming out of himself, bonding with Louis? Wanting Louis to stay for the stopover, Jamie wanting to sleep in his grandmother’s bed, permitting Louis? Gene and his negative reaction? The excitement of camping out and away?
9. Louis and Addie going to the hotel, as husband and wife, sexual fulfilment, as a couple?
10. Gene’s return, Addie and her accident, in hospital, on crutches?
11. The future, Gene wanting his mother to come and stay with him and Jamie? Addie saying that Louis could not come? Louis ready to go, nothing to keep him at home?
12. The men in the town, the jokes, Louis’s anger with them, his return, the ringleader and his continued remarks?
13. Louis at home, quiet? Addie on the phone? Would she relent? Would he go…?
