IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK
US, 1996, 95 minutes, Colour.
1952 segment: Demi Moore, Shirley Knight, Catherine Keener, Jason London, C.C.H. Pounder, Kevin Cooney, Robin Gammell.
1974 segment: Sissy Spacek, Xander Berkeley, Joanna Gleeson, Harris Yulin.
1996 segment: Cher, Anne Heche, Jada Pinkett- Smith, Eileen Brennan, Lindsay Krause, Craig T. Nelson, Diana Scarwid, Rita Wilson, Rusty Schwimmer, Matthew Lillard.
Directed by: 1952, 1974: Nancy Savoca; 1996: Cher.
If These Walls Could Talk raises issues of abortion. Ultimately the film is pro-choice. However, in its three separate stories, set in the one house, it gives arguments for both sides of pro-life and pro-choice.
The first film, set in 1952, shows a backyard abortion in its most gruesome way. The film stars Demi Moore as the mother who wants the abortion after her husband is killed in the Korean War. The film shows the family and the variety of attitudes, Shirley Knight as the mother of the dead man, Catherine Keener as her sister-in-law. The film shows the underground networks for abortions and the role of the law.
The house changes for the 1974 segment, much more open and light. A family lived there, mother and father played by Sissy Spacek and Xander Berkeley. When the mother becomes unexpectedly pregnant again, the issue is whether she will have an abortion or not – or keep the child. The emphasis is on keeping the child.
Things change considerably in the house for 1996. No longer is it a home, it is a centre for women to move in and out. Anne Heche is the pregnant woman. Cher is the doctor. The film, treating contemporary issues of the 1990s, shows an abortion clinic, Cher as a doctor, the harassment by the protesters, their religious fervour, the pressure on the mothers, the obligations for the clinic to offer advice for the mothers.
Nancy Savoca made an impact with her films True Love, Dogfight and Household Saints. This is a rare occasion for Cher to direct.
There was a sequel, If These Walls Could Talk 2, but this focused on women’s relationships rather than straightforward abortion issues.
1. The impact of the film, for a television audience? Abortion issues from the 1950s to the 1990s?
2. The telling of stories for moral discussion, the issues, the emotional response, the rational response?
3. The focus on the house, the three decades, the changes in people living there, their stances and attitudes, lifestyles of the 50s, 70s, 90s? The musical score?
4. The importance of the prologue, the collage going back from the 90s to the 50s on the history of abortion, change in legislation, illegal abortions and their consequences?
5. The 1950s, quiet, proper, the focus on family, on marriage, issues of sexuality? The secrecy of abortion? The law? Illegal abortions and their practice? The money, the callous attitudes of many of the abortionists, the consequences for the women?
6. Demi Moore as Claire, the widow, husband dying in the Korean War, her love for him, her work in the hospital, relationships with the staff, wanting advice, asking the doctor, his caution? Asking the nurse and her being very careful? Her memories, the interlude with her husband’s brother, the sexual encounter? The visit by her pregnant sister-in-law, the language, the focus on marriage and children? Her friendship with Louise, the discussion, asking for her help about information about abortionists? The dinner with the family, the family loving Claire, insisting she get the lift home with Kevin, their talking and the revelation of what had happened?
7. The phone call to Audrey, the high demand for money, having to go to Puerto Rico? Her wanting a local contact? The man, the phone calls, his hard attitudes, wanting cash, her hesitation and his wanting to walk out? His not sterilising the implements? The physical effect of the abortion experience? Emotional? The barbaric aspects, her being left, the blood, on the kitchen floor, her trying to make the phone call? Did she die?
8. The rational aspects of the illegality of abortion, for medical staff, for application of the law? The consequences of backyard abortions, kitchen abortions? The lack of commitment and the greed of many of the abortionists? The emotional impact in watching this story?
The 1970s, the change, the family living in the house, characters, their interactions, the pregnancy of the mother, unexpected, her reaction, the husband’s reaction, the children?
