IN THE GLOAMING

US, 1997, 67 minutes, Colour.

Glenn Close, Robert Sean Leonard, David Strathairn, Bridget Fonda, Whoopi Goldberg.

Directed by Christopher Reeve.

In the Gloaming is a short HBO film of the later 1990s focusing on Aids. In a way, it is an interior piece, in the grounds of a mansion but also in the interiors of the house. It is dialogue-strong and could easily be adapted for theatrical dramatisation.

It is significant that the film has been directed by Christopher Reeve, popular star beginning from his presence as Clark Kent in Superman, presence in many dramas, and the victim of the riding accident which made him quadriplegic.

Robert Sean Leonard in a significance performance as a middle-aged man returning home from San Francisco to the east, dying of AIDS. He is welcomed by his mother, a fine performance from Glenn close. His father, with whom is not related particularly well, welcome to home, trying to initiate conversations and do the right thing. His played by David Stratton. The opening the film shows the mother playing with her two children, but focusing the attention on the young boy, her older daughter standing apart. And this is true as they are grown older, Bridget Fonda portraying the daughter who is now married but reluctant to bring her young son to visit his uncle because of AIDS. And there is a fine, tender cameo by Whoopi Goldberg as the nurse, especially a sequence where she encourages the mother to touch her son.

The title is a reminder of the Scots word for the quiet evening, sunset, a time when everything close down, time for reflection.

There are quite a number of films about AIDS in the 1980s and 1990s especially Early Dawn with Aidan Quinn as well is films about the investigations for scientific treatment of AIDS.

1. The title, the tone, the Scottish evening, sunset, atmosphere, life slowing down? And the singing of the song? The symbol of the gloaming, for Dan and his life coming to an end?
2. A film about AIDS, the experience of the 1980s, the films about AIDS in those years? The continuation into the 90s, people calm about AIDS, sufferers, the background of gay infected, illness and deaths?
3. The screenplays strong on dialogue and limited locations? Able to be transformed into a piece of theatre?
4. The titles of the months, time passing, the decline of the year into winter?
5. The settings, the grounds, spacious and the home, the interiors? A comfortable, affluent family?
6. The opening, Janet, the two children, playing with Dan, Anne standing apart? Setting the tone for the adult relationship? Dan and his mother’s favourite? 26 and her feelings of resentment, the touch of alienation?
7. Janet’s story, memories of meeting Martin, love, her ambition to be the perfect wife and mother, her life’s expectations, years of marriage, the children, the comfortable home, her volunteer work, her love of the movies?
8. Dan’s story, arriving home, his limp, illness, audience realising that he was dying? His face, disfigurement, AIDS? His mother receiving him, fussing over him, not wanting to leave the house? His father welcoming, asking questions, making suggestions, bringing the trophy to the room? The father and son unable to communicate? The visit from Anne, the tension between them? The nurse, her tender care of him? The importance of the conversations with his mother, about his relationship, about love, about his partner not having the endurance to be with him? Memories of the past, the gloaming, Janet singing Danny Boy? Arrangements for his funeral, his gradual decline? Quietly dying? His mother present and watching?
9. Janet, in herself, putting herself down, reaction to compliments, the challenge to her marriage and relationship with her husband? Her urging him to communicate with Dan? The bedroom scenes in their conversations? With the nurse, the nurse explaining how to touch Dan, to connect the equipment? The effect on Janet?
10. The nurse, a quiet Whoopi Goldberg, tenderness and care, devotion, treating Dan? The conversation about touch, the pulse, her explaining how Janet might touch her son?
11. Anne, the visits, wanting to go out with her mother, trying to make contact, not bringing her son, the fear of AIDS, and not admitting this, her leaving?
12. Martin, his own world and style, the tomatoes – a gift for his wife, trying to make conversation, the family meal, the reaction of each, his trying to get Dan to talk? Feeling alienated, trying to make contact? The nature of his relationship with Janet? The sad experience and the possibility of their communicating, his final tears and embrace with Janet?
13. The pathos of the film about illness and dying? Christopher Reeve and his life experience, bringing a gentleness and tenderness to his direction? And the impact on the audience?