THE HIPPOPOTAMUS
UK, 2017, 89 minutes, Colour.
Roger Allam, Matthew Modine, Fiona Shaw, Tommy Knight, John standing, Benedict Taylor, Russell Tovey, Tim Mc Inerney, Richard Glover, Emily Barrington.
Directed by John Jenks.
The Hippopotamus is, to say the least, offbeat. It is based on a novel by Stephen Fry from the 1990s.
The central character is a failed poet reduced to reviewing theatre, and drinking. He is invited to a country estate by the American owner, played by Matthew Modine, to investigate some claims of miracles.
There is a motley range of characters including the owner’s family, with a strong cast of supporting British character actors, concentrating on his 16-year-old son. The poet discovers claims of miracles and healings, and sets out to investigate, with a touch of the Agatha Christie mystery.
The investigation focuses on the 16-year-old, his claims of healing power in his semen, his behaviour and healing results.
Stephen Fry has always been interested in religion and issues of the existence of God. This means that the poet represents the novelist’s search, scepticism, dealing with claims, exploring realities rather than fantasies. And, for good measure, the poet is strongly influenced by his experience and returns to his craft.
1. Based on a novel by Stephen Fry? Expectations from Stephen Fry’s perspective? British, satiric, expose? Issues of religion, falsehood religion, for miracles and belief?
2. The London settings, the poet in the theatre, the media, critiques?
3. The country estate, Lord and Lady Logan, their son, relatives coming to stay, friends? Life in the manner? A kind of Agatha Christie set up?
4. The estate, the mansion, the grounds, the interiors? The musical score?
5. Roger Allam as Teddy, his age, reputation as a poet, his drinking, writer’s block, theatre critic, drunkenness, creating scenes, his being fired?
6. The invitation by the Logan’s, going to their home? The British background, Lord Logan. American? Wealth? Their hosting the guests, the style, hospitality, the rooms, dinners…?
7. David, their son, aged 16, spoilt, the issue of miracles, the claims, his self-belief, the power in his sperm, his contact with various ill people, Teddy finding the encounter with Clara, his later encounter with Oliver? The tours?
8. The household, beliefs, status of miracles, the responses, credibility?
9. Teddy, like an Agatha Christie Detective, his investigations, clues, illnesses, leukaemia, the plainness of Clara and her mother’s concern, Oliver? The interrogations? His discovering the truth about David, David’s disappearance, Teddy rescuing him?
10. The gathering of people, the explanation of the situation? The range of reactions? Pro and con, the truth and explanations?
11. Friendships with Teddy, Rebecca and her attack on him, the past with Oliver, the French lady and her daughter…?
12. The effect of the investigation on Teddy, his rehabilitation, writing poetry again?
