QUEEN'S LOGIC

US, 1991, 112 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Bacon, Linda Fiorentino, John Malkovich, Joe Mantegna, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ken Olin, Chloe Webb, Ed Marinaro.
Directed by Steve Rath.

A drama in the Big Chill tradition, similar to such films as the Return of the Secaucus Seven and Peter's Friends.

The setting is the Borough of Queen's in New York City. The film focuses on a group of middle aged men, their past friendships, their macho style, their getting together for the wedding of one of them. The women are seen more or less on the periphery of this male bonded group.

The reunion for the wedding raises difficulties with the group, among themselves, with their women. The screenplay highlights the conflicts and brings them to some kind of catharsis and some kind of reconciliation and asking for forgiveness.

The film is well acted, especially by Joe Mantegna in the central role of Al (with Linda Fiorentino effective as his wife, Carla). Ken Olin, from 30 something, gives a suitably anguished performance as the artist about to marry. He is well matched by Chloe Webb (Sid & Nancy) as his girl friend. Also in the cast are Kevin Bacon as a would-be Hollywood musician, John Malkovich as a reserved homosexual, Jamie Lee Curtis as the eccentric woman who suddenly befriends Joe Mantegna and is the catalyst for his liberation.

The story of the film is by Tony Spiridakis who co-wrote the screenplay and co-produced the film. He appears as one of the friends, Vinny the aspiring actor.

The film is of particular interest to Americans, particular as it is in its environment, questions, lifestyle. It may not have quite the same impact for non-American audiences. The direction is by Steve Rath whose other films include Under the Rainbow and Can't Buy me Love.

1. A New York story? The Borough of Queen's? The American style of the film, characters and concerns?

2. The tradition of films of reunions, buddies, relationships, clashes, resolutions?

3. The use of Queen's, the river, the bridges, the streets and homes, work places, bars? The range of songs in the musical score?

4. The title, the focus on Queen's, the people belonging to Queen's? Logic and the contrast between head and heart?
5. The prologue, saturated colour, Al as a boy, climbing the rope, the bridge and his achievement, support of his friends? The bridge and the rope, space in Queen's, the possibility for freedom? Its later being used as the place for freedom, the release of tension and angers?

6. The focus on the men, macho style, the bonds between them and the film's comment on male bonding? The qualities of the men, their strengths, weaknesses? Protecting one another? Women on the periphery, the poor relationships with them? The place of women: friends, lovers, wives, sex objects? The strange presence of Grace and her effect on Al - and liberating all of them?

7. The context of the weekend and the wedding, relationships to Ray, the introduction of Monty, the bar, selling the ring, getting the invitation? Setting up expectations?

8. The atmosphere of the men getting together for the reunion, drinking, at their apartments, at the airport to meet Denis, the lively action and extroverted behaviour, driving, the swim, dressing in Denis's clothes, going to the bar, raging? Contrast with the workplaces? The final party, relationships? Al and his encounter with Gracie, the dancing, the cemetery? The climbing of the bridge? The reconciliation, kneeling for forgiveness? The preparation for the wedding and the film ending with the wedding?

9. Al as the centre of the group, tough, lively? His work at the Fish Market, his consciousness of the smell? His wariness about the Mafia types - and his finally pulling the knife on the young man, only to find that he wanted to video the wedding? The buying of the ring from Monty, well-off, drinking, talking with Ray in the bar, three hours late for Carla, the clash, wanting her to dance? Her departure? His visits and pleading? His mother in law and her hostility? With the friends, participating in everything? The chance meeting with Grace, dancing with her? Going off, the driving, the cemetery? Her wanting to liberate him? The attempt at the climb, not being able to, getting on to the girder, throwing everything away including the lollipops? Going to Carla, kneeling for her forgiveness? Carla, the memories of her marrying Al, the anniversary and her waiting, her anger, clashing with her mother, love for the children, taking them? Al's visits and her rejecting him? Her friendship with Patricia, the phone call, getting her hair done and dyed? Going to the bar, meeting Monty? Looking for Al, going to the party, his absence, at home, forgiving Al?

10. Ray, tortured personality, his skill in his art, selling his paintings, even at the bar? His love for Patricia, their relationship? Anticipation of the marriage? His anguish, ambitions, worrying about the commitment of the wedding? The discussions with Patricia? Discussions with his friends, going out with them, sharing their experience yet serious? Discussions of fear with Al? The clash with Denis? His party, melancholy, in the room with the girl, Patricia seeing him? His attempts at explanation? His taking Al's place and asking Patricia's forgiveness? Ready for the wedding? Patricia, anchored in Queen's, the past with Denis - meeting him again and the gentle rejection? Love for Ray, supporting him in his art, hurt by him? At work, her clients? Friendship with Carla, doing her hair? Being philosophical about Ray, the marriage not going on? Finding him, her disappointment? Her wanting to support him with his art no matter what? Accepting his forgiveness? (And the incidental visit in the bar to the fortune-teller, her fortune - but Carla reacting angrily about hers?)

11. Denis, the arrival from Hollywood, loud, clothes, with the girls, picking them up, the dancing? His relationship with his friends? Memories of Patricia, wanting to talk to her before the wedding? The rejection at the party, sad, telling the truth about himself as a failure in Hollywood?

12. Vinny, the would-be actor, trying to pick up girls? With the group? The psychic woman, the talk, trying to be sincere? Their howling together - and a possible relationship?

13. Elliot, at work with Al? Boarding with Ray and Patricia? His friendship and support of the group? His understanding of his own homosexuality, his being unsympathetic to the Gay culture and style? Meeting the man, his coming to the party, trying to lead him on - and his plainness in telling him off and asking him to leave?
The friendship with Martin, Martin as a piano player, at the Algonquin? At the party, sharing with the rest of the group? The end - and he and Martin looking for an apartment in New York City?

14. The atmosphere of the bars, Monty and his talk, dealing with stolen goods? The parties? Men and women, ordinary style, yuppie style?

15. How much insight in the film, truth, men and women, relationships, reconciliation and forgiveness?