WHITE MILE
US, 1994, 96 minutes, Colour.
Alan Alda, Peter Gallagher, Robert Loggia, Bruce Altman, Fionnulla Flanagan, Jack Gilpin, Ken Jenkins, Dakin Matthews, Don Mc Manus, Robert Picardo.
Directed by Robert Butler.
White Mile is quite a striking drama. The name indicates a river in Canada and a particularly difficult area of white water rafting. The sequences on the water, the overturning of the raft, the men in the water, struggling, dying, rescued, are powerfully presented and edited.
However, the whitewater sequences, while realistic, are also symbolic. The main action of the film focuses on an advertising agency, corporate America, the emphasis on money making the emphasis on morale in the company and morale building.
Alan Alda plays Dan Cutler, the executive in an advertising agency, strong-minded, not prone to self-doubt, successfully running the company, dominating his staff pressurising clients. Peter Gallagher plays Jack, his immediate support, deferential to his boss.
Dan Cutler enjoys white water rapids and has decided to invite all his subordinates, executives and contacts to join him in Canada for morale boosting exercise. While they make the choice to go, a number of them are hesitant, inexperienced. Also in the group is a former executive of the company, now retired, an enthusiastic fishermen, offering sound advice, played by Robert Loggia. Fionulla Flanagan plays his sympathetic wife.
There is an accident, five of the men die. The retired executive’s wife then sues the company and the latter part of the film takes place in the courts. Dan Cutler is confident, and puts pressure on his assistant, especially in terms of company loyalty. However, the younger man has to face the dilemma of loyalty or his personal integrity.
An interesting opportunity to reflect on personal morality as well as corporate morality.
1. The title? The focus on the rapids, the endurance? The focus on the purpose of the journey, for business, for morale building?
2. The world of advertising, offices, film sets? The trip to Canada? The scenery, the camp, the bar? The river, the rapids, dangers, rescue? The courtroom? The musical score?
3. The world of advertising, the young executives, the discussions about the promotion, ideas, basketball, the nuns playing, the sneakers? Their working with Dan Cutler? His advice, approval? The discussions with Andy? His caution? Agents and clients? The phone calls to Nick, his advice? This example illustrating the world of advertising and the pressures? Money involved?
4. Dan Cutler, his personality, businessman, self-confidence, his relationship with those under him, with clients? Strong, dominating? The past and the trips on whitewater? His plan, gathering the variety of men together, making demands? The flight, the night before, the fellowship? His single-minded attitude towards the journey, building up the men, working together, morale? His domination of Miller, not wanting tourists? The argument, everyone on the one boat?
5. Jack, the young executive, admiration for Dan Cutler, Cutler dominating him? His friendship with Nick, going fishing with him, the discussion about pressures on the clients? Nick, the veteran, his past, the fishermen, love of fishing, his relationship with his wife, the jokes, his willingness or unwillingness to go on the whitewater?
6. The introduction to the rest of the group, the men working with Dan Cutler, Cutler and his interviewing David's wife? The men from a variety of companies, age, backgrounds? Working together?
7. Everyone in the boat, the exhilaration of the rapids, hitting the rock, everyone in the water? Men swimming, floating, drowning? Jack, getting back on the boat, rescuing Andy? Miller, going back, the next raft, organising helicopters? Dan on the rock, holding his hand out to Nick, not able to hold him? The different rescues, the helicopters of the bodies?
8. The impact on the survivors, Jack and his reflections? Dan and his injury, self-confidence?
9. Time passing, back to work, Dan in his office, his injury, David's wife coming to visit, the payout, her disdain? The issue of Gena suing, the damages? Dan and his attitude, detached, partly amused? His talk to Jack, to persuade Gena not to continue?
10. Jack, the visit to Gena, her experience of the company, condolence and yet the pause, wanting and not to sue? Jack and his talking with her, her urging him to the truth?
11. Jack, Andy talking with him and prodding his conscience, the further talks with Dan, Dan and the issue of loyalty, pressurising Jack? The issue of the legal documents and their being flawed?
12. In the court, the expert on rafting and his advice, regulations and disregard? The pressure on Miller and his putting the group in the one vessel? The issue of the men themselves and whether they were being pressurised for their own responsibility in going? Dan Cutler and his testimony?
13. Jack, his speaking the truth as he saw it, the issue of the colouring of the truth? Gena and her response to Jack? Her winning the case but the other men required to pay because of their choice on responsibilities?
14. A blend of action adventure in the vivid filming of the whitewater and the accident? With the portrait of the corporate world? The world of business? Moneymaking, money-losing, truth and loyalty?
