THE LOVE SHE SOUGHT

US, 1990, 100 minutes, Colour.
Angela Lansbury, Denholm Elliott, Cynthia Nixon, Robert Proksy.
Directed by Joseph Sargent.

The Love She Sought is an engaging telemovie starring Angela Lansbury. She brings her familiar style and some feeling to the role of an ageing, unmarried school teacher in the Catholic system in Minnesota. A conservative catholic (and the telemovie brings out the themes of changes in the catholic church during the 80s very well), she has been in correspondence with a friend in Ireland. The friend is portrayed by Denholm Elliott.

On an unexpected visit to Ireland after her retirement, she discovers that her penfriend is a priest. She had been entertaining some thoughts of marriage and the shock is disillusioning. A young unmarried mother whom she had befriended is instrumental in helping her to understand and be forgiving for his not telling her. She is also helped by the rather modern bishop (whom she dislikes intensely), played with verve by Robert Prosky. The film is very effective portrait of an ageing woman, her dedication to her task of education, her regrets at not marrying, the crisis of faith and emotions. The film was directed by Joseph Sargent. veteran of many movies and telemovies.

1. Interesting and entertaining telemovie? The audience, the older audience, the stars, the issues?

2. The atmosphere of Minnesota, the town, the school, the church? The contrast with Ireland, Dublin, the country, scenery, the country towns, the musical score and atmosphere?

3. The significance of the catholic background, the changes in the church after Vatican II, the effect on the catholic education system, the presence of religious sisters in the schools, the role of the laity, changes in the liturgy, conservatives and progressives, bishops and their role - and becoming familiar with people? clerical celibacy?

4. The title and the focus on Agatha and her life and regrets?

5. The effect of the voice over technique for the letters, James and his appeal to Agatha? The bonds?

6. Angela Lansbury's portrait of Agatha Mc Gee, teaching for 43 years in the same school, being very particular, demanding with the children? Her compassion for the young yet her sternness? Her not having married, the question of the proposal, her refusal because the man was not good enough in his trade, seeing him in the street, his grandchildren? Her correcting people? The importance of the church, her declarations about her faith, stability?

7. Janet, her strong minded father, unmarried, the church and the scandal - and people looking at her? Agatha's kindness in taking her in? The birth of the child, the New Year, the double dealing about the money, Agatha confronting the business people and getting the money for Janet? The bond between Janet and Agatha, Janet imitating her, her love for Randy, the dates, the engagement, breaking it - with Janet imitating Agatha and seeing Randy through her eyes? Her love for her child?

8. Agatha and her discussions about education, exasperation with the bishop, the question of the confirmation, the bishop not wanting to do it, her visit to him and bring the children? The confirmation class? The resignation, the surprise party? The bishop and his musical instrument, When the Saints Coming Marching In? Her speech?. The possibility of going to Ireland, Lillian and her being inquisitive, trading in the ticket and taking Janet? The trip over, the bishop and his conversation, her pretending to sleep?

9. The experience of 43 years, her regrets, 5 years of letter writing, the decision to meet James, her feelings for him, meeting with him, the talking, the meal? His seeming upset? His leaving her, her puzzle? Her going to find him, asking, suddenly vested on the altar? Her leaving the church, hurt? Moving from the hotel? Janet seeking her out, comfort, understanding? The bishop and his discussions with her? His persuading her to go to the pub, finding James alone, the walk, the talking and understanding, the realisation that she would never have befriended him had she know he was a priest, forgiveness? The bond between the two, her going to Mass, receiving communion from him? The trial of faith, the crisis of emotions? Her greater understanding of God, allowing Janet to love Randy, going to the wedding?

10. James and his letters, the audience not knowing he was a priest, the genial man, photo, the visit, the enjoyment of Agatha's company yet his reserve, the puzzle? Seeing him at Mass? His own worry, the drinking, the visit of the bishop, the cooking and the comedy of the mushrooms, the visit to the doctor - and the cat not dead but pregnant? Discussing with the bishop and realizing the truth about friendship, his needs, as a priest, loneliness, celibacy? Wanting to be appreciated as a person, as a man? His going to the pub, his relationship with his brother? Agatha's finding him, the depth of their discussion? Parting as friends, the Mass and Communion, the continued letters?

11. Janet and Randy, Randy and his many jobs, his criticism of her, his decision to spend the money on the trip, the visit to Ireland, their love? The parallel to Agatha and her rejection of her fiance in the past? The wedding?

12. The bishop, the changes in the church, wanting to be called by his Christian name, his clothes, the cards, not doing the confirmations? Playing the trumpet? Organising the trip? Genial on the plane? Driving by car, giving Agatha a lift, the antagonism, his understanding? Talking about the closure of the schools? His offering her the job? Trying to find priests for his diocese? Discovering the issue about James, going to visit him, talking plainly, friendly? The meal, the mushrooms, the seemingly dead cat, the alarm, the visit to the hospital, feeling ill? The effect of his intervention? Agatha taking the job - and their continuing to spar with one another?

13. The picture of the church, the school, the nuns? The changes?

1.The humanity of the film, the experience of ageing, loneliness and love, opportunities? The significance of the title?