NEW IN TOWN
US, 2009, 97 minutes, Colour.
Renee Zellweger, Harry Connick Jr, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, J.K. Simmons, Frances Conroy.
Directed by Jonas Elmer.
Lightly likable.
A combination of romantic comedy conventions with a story of little people, the downsizing in the work force, challenging the moneyed bosses – something for a time of recession and credit crunch (although the film was produced before the current crisis).
Film buffs might say it is 'NeoCapraesque', a modern variation on the themes that Frank Capra made so popular in the 1930s (Mr Deeds Goes to Town, Mr Smith Goes to Washington as well as his post-war classic, It's a Wonderful Life). It is often said that Capra is unduly optimistic but, looking at his films again, one sees the tough reality underlying the hope and the realisation that people and their livelihoods could be destroyed. And 2009 is seeing it again.
This slight comedy drama is no classic. In fact, it received some very hostile reviews on its American release. One wonders why until the locals in Grand Ulm, Minnesota, appear with the folksy ways, their characteristic accents (which Fargo fans will recognise) and their simple solutions, especially bringing Jesus-talk into their conversation. They represent mid-west lifestyles and values that are considered too conservative by East Coast and West Coast commentators. The character played by Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Blanche, says as much towards the end of the film. Because the audience is meant to get to know these people and like them might irk a cosmopolitan critic.
The story is, in fact, the old one. Boards in Miami decide the New Ulm plant has to change or go. The executive charged with the mission of venturing into the cold and snowy state is city slicker, Lucy, ambitious to become a CEO (Renee Zellwegger). Sometimes she does well. At other times she more than puts her foot in it, especially concerning widower Ted (Harry Connick Jr) who is the union rep. Stu (J.K. Simmons) is the supervisor and Blanche is Lucy's assistant.
Plenty of nice scenes of meals, Christmas carols and Lucy helping Ted's daughter to get ready for a date. Plenty of factory scenes, especially when the plant has to be closed and the workers fight back. Plenty of ruthless business moves by callous executives.
Now this might take some believing, but the solution to all the problems is Blanche's secret tapioca recipe. You have never heard so many references to tapioca in any other film.
Familiar material but now quite topical.
1.The light tough? Romantic comedy? A comedy set in economic difficult times?
2.Miami and its image, the sun, the buildings and offices, the coast?
3.The contrast with Minnesota, its image, the cold and the snow, small towns, jokey atmosphere, folksy atmosphere, the plant, the homes, the countryside? Accents? Interests? Religion?
4.Lucy’s story: her father, maintenance, advice given to the bosses, his teaching Lucy, advocating an education, her ambitions to be a CEO? Her yuppy style in Miami, jogging, going to the meetings, her doing battle with the men on the board, strong minded, volunteering to go to downsize the factory?
5.The economic background, downsizing, the objective look at closing plants and firing people, not looking at people and their needs? Money issues, marketing, products, sales, changing products?
6.Lucy, going to Minnesota, the flight, all her luggage, the trolley, the cold outside? Meeting Blanche, the office, Blanche’s home and the people? Lucy’s house, cold? The diner and Flo’s reaction?
7.The workplace, her office, Blanche’s office? Files? The plant, her speech to the workers, their reaction? Stu and his being the spokesman?
8.The dinner at Blanche’s house, her dress, putting on the coat, cold? Blanche and her cooking, introducing her husband, the jokes, the children, the talk at the table, Lucy sounding permissive and the reaction? Ted, his reaction? Strict, his daughter? Lucy talking the next morning with Blanche, Ted overhearing, her insults? Discovering he was the union rep? The deal with the union? Her report to Miami?
9.Blanche and her style, her husband, her manner of speaking, cooking, bringing Jesus into the conversation? Chatting in the office, Trudy and the recipe for tapioca?
10.Lucy and her hit list, her drinking, the crash, Ted rescuing her, the lift, her reaction, her later apology? Ted and his change of heart? Taking her crow-hunting, her needing to go to the toilet, in the outdoors, the zip, the rifle, shooting Ted, the hospital? Bobbie and her date, her hair, Lucy helping her with the hair, shoes, the dress? Ted and his laying down the law to her? Lucy and her reaction? Staying the evening with Ted, Bobbie’s return?
11.Ted and his story, his wife, illness, the Mayo Clinic, the reasons to stay in Minnesota, especially for Bobbie?
12.Lucy going to Miami, the board, their plans, the phone calls? Blanche finding the hit list?
13.The celebration of Christmas, carols, the gifts, Lucy giving cash, the various celebrations, Valentine’s Day? Blanche and her scrapping, giving Lucy the scrapbook? The photos inside?
14.The meeting, Miami, the bosses, Lucy defending the plant? Her return?
15.Blanche and the bad news, Ted and his reaction? Lucy’s decision, going to plead with Stu? Blanche’s tapioca recipe? Testing it in the mall? Her speech, Stu joining the group, their experience, the tapioca fight, success with their product?
16.Miami and the change of heart? Lucy as vice-president? The issue of the selling of the factory, the people owning it themselves? Ted and Lucy and the kiss? Applause?
17.A piece of Americana, for difficult economic times, issues of jobs, encouragement to small people to stand up for themselves?
