TRIAL BY MEDIA (AN AMERICAN DAUGHTER)

US, 2000, 91 minutes, Colour.
Christine Lahti, Tom Skerritt, Jay Thomas, Mark Feuerstein, Stanley Anderson, Blake Lindsley, Lyn Thigpen, Cynthia Harris.
Directed by Sheldon Larry.

Trial By Media is an effective film about the phenomenon of the media making moral judgments on people seeing public office. The film focuses on Christine Lahti as a nominee for the position of surgeon general. Casually, it emerges that she had neglected to ask for dispensation from jury duty. This is picked up by a media outlet, gradually becomes a cause celebre on American television with public opinion moving against her, people perceiving her as cold, as well off, as disdainful and haughty.

The film shows the processes by which a chance remark can be magnified into a national issue. The film focuses on news programs, on talk programs, on gossip programs – and the dire repercussions.

Christine Lahti was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance. The always reliable Tom Skerritt is her husband. While the film is effective, it bears the marks of a television movie, made for the widest possible audience. It could have been sharper and more hard-hitting.

1.The impact of this kind of film? Entertainment? Raising issues of public figures? Of the role of the media?

2.The Washington settings, the world of the media, the world of politics? The musical score?

3.Christine Lahti as Lyssa, at home, her relationship with her husband, her son? The nomination and her acceptance? Her being in the public eye, her being favoured to be accepted as surgeon general? At home, the party, Moro McCarthy? and his remark about the jury duty situation? Its being picked up by Timper Tucker? The comments by Quincy Quince? The magnification of the issue, on the programs, talkback, the Wives of Indiana etc? Her discussions with Quincy Quince, her suspicions of her, seeing her kiss her husband? Her way of dealing with Quincy? Her friendship with Judith, Judith’s concerns, IVF treatment? Lyssa’s political stances? Her being the daughter of a senator, the presence of the senator, the interviews? The tension with her husband, its being resolved? The interview with Timper Tucker, her going back to the studio, the preparation? Her meeting with Quincy – and Quincy offering to help? Judith and her attempted suicide, Lyssa helping her, Judith’s support? The clashes with Moro Mc Carthy? The interview, the hard-hitting questions, her frank answers? What she achieved in the interview? The turning of public opnion? Her decision not to run for office? Seeing her finally with Judith and her assisting the patients in the clinic? The portrait of a strong woman?

4.Walter, author, his pride and his love for his wife? The encounter with Quincy, the discussions of the past, her exploiting him, the kiss? His reaction, trying to make peace with Lyssa? His continued support?

5.Timper Tucker, his reputation during the Vietnam war, his interviews, presence at the party, picking up on the jury duty issue, using it in programs? His giving time for Lyssa, explaining the interview, the kinds of questions he asked and her answers? Moro Mc Carthy and his work on the media, friends with Lyssa and Walter, his raising the issue, the consequences? His trying to make peace?

6.Quincy, her attitude, studies, books, attitudes towards feminism, the modern woman? Her snide attitude towards Lyssa? The encounter with Walter? Lyssa and her treatment of her? Her going on talk programs, supporting Lyssa? The discussion at the studio?

7.Judith, long friendship, IVF, her depression, trying to drown herself, coming back to Lyssa? Support, working with her at the end?

8.Lyssa’s father, his reputation, different political opinions, his support of his daughter? His new wife?

9.The drama of the interview on television, her father coming, Walter and her son? The interview focusing on them as well?

10.The background of the media, the talk shows, the gossip shows, baking cakes – and talking gossip? Veronica and Lyssa’s reaction, her son’s reaction? The television personalities – and behind the scenes?

11.The president, his support, his not responding to Lyssa after the media interviews, accepting her resignation?

12.The importance of this kind of film to raise questions about media and media protocols with the wide audience?