A SHORT STAY IN SWITZERLAND
UK, 2009, 90 minutes, Colour.
Julie Walters, Stephen Campbell Moore, Lyndsey Marshall, Liz White, Patrick Malahide, Patrick Walter.
Directed by Simon Curtis.
Dr Anne Tucker made headlines (and television news and documentaries) when she opted for assisted suicide at the Dignitas Centre in Zurich, an institution able to function under Swiss law but which is an option of last resort for those who come from countries which could prosecute them for such action.
This then is a drama that puts before its audience intellectual and emotional arguments in favour of and against assisted suicide (a theme taken up in the feature films, Million Dollar Baby and The Sea Inside, both 2004). Clearly, those who hold strong opinions either way will not be swayed by the film. One thing to note, however, is that while print and radio are media where it is possible to present rational argument with some clarity and force, film and television, being visual and narrative media, are much stronger in presenting emotional argument.
Julie Walters, who can show her wilder side on screen – just think of her obstreperous performance in Mamma Mia – can also do serious very well indeed (as she did with Mary Whitehouse in Filth). This is one of her best performances, often very still and quiet so that the audience has the chance to ponder what has happened to her and what she is thinking and feeling.
Dr Tucker's husband died of the same disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, a debilitating disease that almost completely restricted communication. Dr Tucker was a business-like professional of the no-nonsense variety so, when she foresaw here situation, she decided to act. Her children had very mixed feelings. This makes for the drama, for and against what she did. The repercussions for the family in facing a death, in facing this kind of choice, are brought to the fore even though her children finally and for one, rather unwillingly, acquiesced in their mother's decision and went to Zurich with her.
In any moral issue, it is important to have the real-life dimensions in all their contradictions as part of the process of discernment and moral decision, otherwise it is a cold text-book exercise that can be easily solved like an equation, quick rational principles and answers for the problematic rather than a holistic approach where the rational interacts with the emotional that gives not just a solution but also a 'pastoral' agenda for all involved.
1.The impact of the telemovie as drama, as raising ethical questions, morality?
2.The film based on a true story, actual characters? Anne Turner, the doctor, caring for her husband and his illness? The doctor and her own diagnosis? The rare occurrence of this disease twice in the same family? Her illness being documented, television coverage? The film, her children and their approval?
3.The film and BBC quality film-making? Scenes in the UK, at home, Anne Turner’s bungalow, doctors’ offices? Zurich, the tour of the city? The Dignitas Centre? The musical score?
4.The Dignitas Centre and its role? Moral issues of assisted suicide? The law in England, Switzerland, different countries? The film seen as an appeal/critique about the law, dying with dignity, personal choices, assisted suicide, the consequences?
5.The plea for assisted suicide, a debilitating disease, the effect on the patient, on the family, on the carers? The nature of the decision, the criteria? Finding the right time or not?
6.The portrait of the family, the party, the father and his silence, inability to communicate? Anne, her care for her husband? Visitors being wary? The children? The father’s illness, his death, his suffering?
7.Anne as a busy doctor, her illness, the diagnosis, the discussion with Richard about her illness? Recognising the illness, preparation?
8.Richard and Clare, their support, the discussions with Clare and the impossibility of her agreeing to assisted suicide? Walking out? Her later inability to read Anne’s letter to her and Richard?
9.The children, the decision to move house, Anne’s contempt of the idea of a bungalow? The bungalow itself, the importance of the garden and her working there? Her life in the house, her growing weakness, the scenes of her by herself, in bed, collapsing, unable to help herself? Reading, television? Phone calls? Her housekeeper, friendliness, the bond between them?
10.The picture of Anne’s children, their lives, careers? Jessica and her strength, the discussions, the visits and concern? Seeing them at work, the sudden phone calls and having to visit their mother? Edward, his career, his partner and relationship, the union ceremony? Sophie, younger, emotional, refusing to accept the decision, the discussions, her moods?
11.Their finally deciding to support their mother, the decision to go, Anne’s research about the Dignitas Centre? The secret flight, the tour of Zurich? Settling in?
12.The Dignitas Centre, the personnel, their explanations, the issues, law, ethics and morality?
13.The children, their mother dying, their being present, the suffering? Their mother’s pain and suffering compared with their grief?
14.The issue of the right time or not, the procedure, the personnel and the explanation, seeing the actual procedure? Anne’s death?
15.The final impact of watching this film? The role of objective principles and consequences, the rational approach? The visualising of a story, pain and suffering, the emotional approach? The need for dialogue between the two perspectives?
