VI WARSHAWSKI

US, 1991, 89 minutes, Colour.
Kathleen Turner, Jay O.Sanders, Charles Durning.
Directed by Jeff Kanew.

A private eye movie with a difference. VI Warshawski is a character from the very popular novels by Sarah Paretsky. However, the reception of the film was very negative. Plans for a series had to be let go (although a radio series with Kathleen Turner was recorded).

The setting is Chicago, very well photographed. VI Warshawski is played by Kathleen Turner as a tough private investigator (emulating the male private investigators of books and movies as regards violence and sexuality).

The screenplay focuses on a typical Chicago case, shady characters, convoluted plot developments, the parallel between VI Warshawski and a teenage girl, Kat. Kathleen Turner gives assurance to her character.

The film was criticized for its plotting, production values, direction - however, it stands up as an average entertainment, although one has to ask questions about the Women's Movement and the presentation of VI Warshawki. Direction is by Jeff Kanew (Natural Causes, Eddie Macon's Run, Tough Guys).

1. The lack of success of this private eye action mystery?
The popularity of the novels, the character? Transition from book to screen?

2. The Chicago locations, vividly used? Buildings and apartments? The streets? Aerial views? The launch chase on the river? The range of songs and musical score?

3. The title, the gender free name? Vicki's explanation about the effect of calling herself VI? Her variations on the meaning of the name? The tradition of the American private investigator? Men - and women taking over, being treated as the men were, especially as regards violence? The freedom of the woman private investigator to take initiatives, going into danger? Relationships with men?

4. Kathleen Turner as VI Warshawski? Establishing the character, her jobs? Skills? The male equivalent? The men treating her as sex object? Her trying to be impersonal and gender free? Her friends, the bar, picking up the hockey player? The relationship, observing his clashes? His arriving at the apartment, coming into the bathroom, his daughter Kat? His going to the meeting - the explosion and his death?

5. Her becoming involved, taking in Kat, Kat's direct way of speaking? The evening together, her untidy apartment? Wearing dresses? Going in the taxi, the clash with Kat? The death of the hockey player? Kat's reaction and Vicki able to console her? The quick meeting with Kat's mother and uncle? Taking her to Lotti and her being looked after? The relationship with Murray, sexual banter, clashes? The visit to Kat? Going to see the two brothers, the artist and his abruptness, the older brother and his concern? Being picked up by Earl and his thugs, the violent working over? Being warned off? Taking Kat with her? The black worker on the boat and his memories of the past? The visit to the Union official and challenging him? The friendship with Bob, his memories of her as a girl? Collaboration and clash with the police?

6. Kat, being like Vicki? Strong mouthed, dislike of her mother, devotion to her father? The evening with Vicki, the dresses? The taxi, her grief, going to the hut? Being treated by Lotti? The bond between the two, wanting to go with Vicki? The interviews? The leads, the information about Kat inheriting the land and her grandfather's deal? The Japanese and their puzzlement?

7. Kat and her tough style? Her mother, the story of her mother's marriage, into institutions, the divorce, marrying her husband's brother? Her seeming alcohol dependent? The irony of her toughness, the violence at the wharf, shooting her husband, wanting to kill her daughter? The confrontation with Vicki? Murray shooting her?

8. The two brothers, the relationship with their brother, the story of the firm, their father? The sales and beneficiaries? The artist, his marrying his brother's wife? The argument with Horton and Vicki overhearing it? The confrontation at the wharf, his wanting to kill Kat? His wife killing him?

9. Murray, the newspaper man, flirtatious with Vicki? His girls? On the scene, giving information, wanting deals? Minding Kat? His going to the wharf, his being shot, helping Vicki with the gun?

10. Bob, friendship with Vicki? Memories of the past? Investigation? The role of the police?

11. Earl, the past and going to school with Vicki? His thugs, the interrogation, the brutality - and her coming back and giving the same treatment?

12. The tradition of the American private eye movies, action and mystery?