WARM SPRINGS

US, 2005, 105 minutes, Colour.
Kenneth Branagh, Cynthia Nixon, David Paymer, Tim Blake Nelson, Matt O' Leary, Matt Malloy, Andrew Davoli, Nelsan Ellis, Jane Alexander, Kathy Bates, Melissa Ponzio.
Directed by Joseph Sargent.

Warm Springs is a film about Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1920s.

It is one of many about Roosevelt, films like Sunrise at Campobello where he was played by Ralph Bellamy with Greer Garson as Eleanor Roosevelt. There was also Hyde Park on Hudson, set in the 1930s, with Bill Murray as Roosevelt, Olivia Williams as Eleanor Roosevelt, and Laura Linney as Roosevelt’s cousin with whom he was having a relationship.

Roosevelt is played by Kenneth Branagh, warts and all, but also a kinder and noble side of Roosevelt. It is a very strong performance.

This film is opens with Roosevelt having a relationship with his secretary. His wife Eleanor, Cynthia Nixon, is unaware. When she discovers the truth, she offers Roosevelt’s freedom. However, he is dominated by his mother, played by Jane Alexander, who forbids any separation or divorce on the pain of his losing his inheritance. Roosevelt is highly politically involved, getting positions in government, relying on advice from his associate, Louis, played by David Paymer.

However, the title of the film indicates that this is about Roosevelt and his polio. It is a shock when he is diagnosed. And he refuses to face the reality. He is offered a century in Georgia, Warm Springs, where the springs have healing power, giving strength to paralysed limbs, even enabling some walking on the floor of the springs. The offer is made by a genial friend played by Tim Blake Nelson. At first Roosevelt is opposed, thinking the centre is dilapidated. Eleanor does not stay with him but later visits with Louis.

At the core of the film is Roosevelt’s undergoing the therapy, his mellowing in his attitude, interviewed by the press with a number of those suffering from polio descending on him in Georgia, at first hostile in his attitude, then welcoming them, eventually purchasing the property and setting it up as a centre with great success. He is joined by a genial therapist, played by Kathy Bates.

Eleanor is persuaded to go to a women’s group and address them, hesitant at first, then finding her feet and her words, beginning her career of speeches and advocacy – and actually urging her husband to gatecrash a medical conference to explain his polio situation.

The film ends with the Democratic convention of 1928 and Roosevelt’s presence, first reluctant, and his nominating Al Smith as the candidate. He walks with the help of one of his sons. He is admired by the public – and the film gives information as to his later career and his role as President of the United States.

1. The status of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in American history, world history? The story of his background, social, political, the experience of polio?

2. The title, the town in Georgia, the Springs, the ability for healing those with polio, significance in Roosevelt’s life, his mind the property, promoting the Springs, his work with those with polio?

3. Audience knowledge of and response to Roosevelt? As US President? The depression, the New Deal? The bombing of Pearl Harbor, the entry of the US into the war, the war with Japan? His work with Churchill, Stalin, Yalta? His untimely death? His achievement?

4. This portrait of Roosevelt, Kenneth Branagh’s presence and interpretation? Warts and all? His marriage to Eleanor, the four children, his infidelity with his secretary? The domination of his mother? Louis and the continued political advice and ambitions? His achievement, role in government and administration?

5. Roosevelt and the oncoming of polio, his collapse? His reaction, the doctors and treatment? Inability to walk? Bowing out of politics? Not coping well?

6. The invitation from Tom Loyless? To go to Georgia? Going with Eleanor? Going to the property, ramshackle, his reaction, surly and haughty? Tom and his explanations, managing the estate, the possibilities of the Springs? Tom and his continued friendship, urging Roosevelt, selling the property, managing the guests, relishing the treatment, his own cancer and his withdrawing?

7. Roosevelt and his relationship with his secretary, clandestine, but…? Eleanor and her discovery, her reaction, wanting to give her husband his freedom? His mother, her dominance, forbidding the divorce, threatening to cut of Roosevelt from his inheritance? The marriage continuing? Eleanor’s devotion, his response to her, to the children?

8. The experience of Warm Springs, the treatment, his swimming, pushed into the water, being lifted from the water? The possibility of standing, the nature of the water in the Springs, able to walk? The effect?

9. Visits, return home, decisions? Eleanor not wanting to stay at Warm Springs? The newspaper interview, the publicity, the range of people visiting, their experiences of polio? Roosevelt’s negative reaction? Change of heart?

10. Georgia, the situation, racial, the black staff at Warm Springs, their support of Roosevelt, valet, guidance, cooking?

11. The tourists, wanting separation from those with polio, fear of infection?

12. Tom, his illness, the property on sale, Roosevelt and his idea of buying the property, phoning the owner, doing the deal? His money invested? The range of renovations?

13. The range of people coming, their life, mutual support, children, the starving young man and his revival, the older man, the dancer with polio – and the later performance and joy?

14. Eleanor and Louis and their visits? Louis seeing the advertising and publicity profit potential?

15. The change in Roosevelt, his doing good?

16. 1927, the return of politics, the conventions, the aim for Roosevelt to produce the democratic candidate Al Smith? Reluctance, change of heart? Practising his walk, reliance on his son?

17. Eleanor, her continued support, her being urged to go to a meeting, her diffidence, her themes, the women’s response, finding her feet, going to meetings, finding a career in
meaning in life? The convention of doctors, her idea to gatecrash the meeting, with Roosevelt, rushing in, the speech, the response? The doctor visiting Warm Springs, yet his negative verdict?

18. Helena Mahoney, her skills, her arrival at Warm Springs, declaring herself, working with those with polio, working with Roosevelt, her continued help and support?

19. The convention, Roosevelt walking, almost stumbling, enjoying the opportunity, making the nomination?

20. And the subsequent information about Roosevelt, his career, and contribution to American history?