THE KING AND QUEEN OF MOONLIGHT BAY
US, 2003, 100 minutes, Colour.
Tim Matheson, Sean Young, Edward Asner, Kristen Bell, Bug Hall.
Directed by Sam Pillsbury.
The King and Queen of Moonlight Bay is based on a novel by Michael de Guzman, who has also written quite a number of screenplays including an adaptation of Steinbeck’s Winter of Our Discontent.
The film was directed by Sam Pillsbury who directed a number of films in New Zealand in the 1980s, Scarecrow, Heart of the High Country, Starlight Hotel.
Kristen Bell portrays a teenager who wants to understand something of her absent and alienated father. She goes from the east coast to Arizona to spend the summer with him, only to find him particularly cantankerous and not wanting her there. He is involved with a local woman working in the shop, played sympathetically by Sean Young, who befriends the girl. Edward Asner has a cameo role as an old man who wanders the town quoting poetry and dispensing wisdom.
The film is, as expected, a clash between the teenage daughter and her crusty father. At first, it seems that any kind of reconciliation will be impossible. Towards the end of the film it comes to this once again after some bonding. With the help of Sean Young, there is some kind of understand: the man mellows and realises he has been too harsh, angry and drinking, the girl realises that she has missed her father and needs to bond with him.
The film is pleasant, has its heart in the right place – although the dramatic drive is a bit repetitious rather than building to a climax.
1.A popular telemovie? Telemovie style? Characters and issues?
2.The Arizona locations, the town, the countryside, the lake? The authentic atmosphere? Musical score? The singing of ‘On Moonlight Bay’? The title, the romantic overtones, the song? The group – and the possibility of some kind of reconciliation?
3.Alison, her age, contacting her father, his absence for ten years, living with her mother? Arrival by bus, his meeting her, not so welcoming, the house and its being in a shambles? Her settling in? Trying to communicate, talking, cooking, his shutting her up? Going into town, meeting the young boy? Meeting Sandy and befriending her? Her trying to cope, reading, looking after the house, putting things in different drawers and her father’s anger? Phone call to her mother? Her wanting to leave, the clashes, her deciding to stay? The possibility of working together, talking, his explanation of his behaviour? The final night, his drinking, clashing with her after she came home from the movies? Her wanting to move out, going to Sandy, Sandy’s intervention? Her staying, working with her father, getting to understand him, on the boat, swimming, the summer developing? The friendship with the boy? How had she changed on her return?
4.Al, his having left his wife, walking out on people? His explanation, clashes with his wife, love for his daughter, yet the lack of communication over ten years? Giving her permission to come? His regretting it? His way of living, the house, drinking? Not talking, not communicating? The relationship with Sandy? In town, persuading the owner of the diner to have an ad? His being grumpy in the bar, the fight? His bonding with his daughter, teaching her to float and to swim? His making an effort, it being too hard? His drinking, the fight in the bar, coming home, clash with Alison? Her wanting to leave? A reconciliation, talking over matters, her wanting him to explain aspects of sexuality, his reluctance, his trusting her? The final work, achievement, farewelling her?
5.Sandy, friends with Al, genial, returning to the town, her work, the relationship, friendship with Alison, helping her in the crisis?
6.Auggie, the old man, the quotes, the words of wisdom, befriending Alison? Giving words of advice?
7.The young boy, the friendship, the date, the kisses, the nature of the relationship? A summer friendship?
8.A film of contemporary American families, dysfunctional, separated, the effect on the parents, on the children? Possibilities for some kind of understanding and love?
