THICKER THAN BLOOD

US, 1998, 95 minutes, Colour.
Mickey Rourke, Don Fatoman, Carlos Albin, Josh Mostel.
Directed by Richard Pearce.

Thicker Than Blood is based on a play by Bill Cain, Stand- Up Tragedy.

The film is in the tradition of those about schoolteachers facing difficult students. One thinks of Dangerous Minds or To Sir With Love. This film, however, focuses on a small parochial school in New York City, in a Hispanic neighbourhood. The school is run by Father Frank Larkin, played with some dignity, almost underplayed, by Mickey Rourke. Dan Futterman (The Birdcage, writer of Capote) is a lawyer who gives himself to teaching to improve the students’ lot. He makes a great number of mistakes, yet befriends a young Hispanic artist, Carlos Albin. The film is interesting in its development of the relationship between student and teacher, the work of the teachers in this kind of school, the role of the teachers and of religion – especially in the character of Father Larkin and his sometimes depressed feeling that God does not exist or is not interested.

While the film is conventional, it receives good treatment by its director, Richard Pearce (Northern Lights, Heartlands, No Mercy).

1. The title of the film, its reference to the family, Lee and his awareness of family? The contrast with Griffin’s family? The title of the play, Stand- Up Tragedy – and its relevance to these characters, tragedy in the New York neighbourhoods.

2. The New York settings, the cityscapes, the neighbourhoods, the scenes in the church, in the school, in the tenements, the streets, the contrast with the museum? Musical score and songs?

3. The tradition of movies about schooling and education, dedicated teachers, their difficulties, mistakes? Difficult students? This film in that tradition?

4. The Catholic setting, the ethos, Father Frank Larkin, the opening with the funeral, Mickey Rourke in the role and being a convincing priest? His understanding of religion, belief in God, confidence in God, education?

5. Father Larkin, the opening at the Mass, burying the boy who died in the street, the school common room, his discussions with Camilla, reflections about God, the crucifix in the garbage tin? His giving advice, especially to Griffin? Not wanting to know a lot of the details? His theory of the ecology of the neighbourhood and not interfering in it? His judgment and lack of judgment? His insights into character, his trust in Griffin, even though challenging him? The relationship with Lee, with Henry – and Henry’s confession? The issue of the teacher who was robbed and stabbed and finding Henry using his camera, the expulsion? The graduation ceremony – the violence?

6. Griffin Boone, his age, experience, training to be a lawyer, changing his mind? Coming into the school, Camilla and her sardonic remarks? The trust from Father Larkin? His family’s expectations that he be a lawyer? His first class, meeting the students, seeing the hooker on the street – and his buying her the cup of coffee, Father Larkin’s reaction and his explanation of the consequences, the expectations that the teacher would buy more cups of coffee? His puzzle about Lee, interest in Lee, seeing his drawings, photocopying them? Going to his house, Lee’s resentment? Frank and his warnings? The challenge for Lee to come every day to school? The growing friendship with Camilla, the bet about his returning after Thanksgiving? The other teachers, the common room? His hopes? His taking Lee to the museum, Lee’s running away, defending him against the police? His going to the home, the discussions with Lee’s mother, with Tyro, getting him the job, trying to keep him in the job? Seeing him on the streets, selling the drugs, Tyro putting him in the drug-dealing position and proving that it was difficult money to earn?

7. Lee, his age, his art, silence, his relationship with Tyro, drawing him in the comic strips, his mother and the brutality, her drinking? The challenge by Griffin, coming to his home, Lee resenting it? The visit to the museum, his amazement, running away? The essay, the interrogation in class in front of Father Larkin whether Griffin had corrected the essays? Griffin reading it aloud, the promise of the prize, the dinner at home? Lee and his enjoying the Christmas dinner, laughing at Griffin’s idea of a family fight compared with his own? Father Larkin’s arrival, his having to move out, the rooftop, the artwork, the pigeons? The news of his getting the scholarship? His thanking Frank for taking him on? The graduation?

8. Tyro, selling the drugs, the money needed to pay the rent, his mother urging him to sell drugs? His admiration for Lee but their fights, the brutality – especially Lee getting angry and punching Tyro and then coming to Griffin? His giving up the job at the baths, resentment, coming to the graduation, his speech, his reactions, the struggle with Lee, the gun and the policeman shooting?

9. Lee’s mother, battered, her relationship with her children, her drinking, Griffin’s deal with her about Lee going into a home, her going to a refuge?

10. The teachers, the teacher and his resentment, especially of Henry – and Henry robbing him and stabbing him? His harsh judgments? The bearded teacher, his classes, giving people a chance, challenging Henry to learn nothing? His more compassionate attitude, sardonic way of expressing it, his shooting a basket during the match?

11. The build-up to the climax, the graduation, the speeches, the violence, Tyro’s intervention – and the tragedy as Lee died?

12. The pessimistic attitude towards life in the neighbourhood? The optimism that one person can actually change lives?