VISITING HOURS

Canada, 1982, 99 minutes, Colour.
Michael Ironside, Lee Grant, Linda Purl, William Shatner.
Directed by Jean- Claude Lord.

Visiting Hours is one of many multiple-murder horror thrillers, of the early '80s. This is a Canadian production (from the producers of David Cronenberg's Scanners and The Brood). Lee Grant is strong as the television journalist. Linda Purl is an attractive heroine and Michael Ironside (who appeared to such villainous effect in Scanners) is suitably menacing as the mad murderer.

The film uses the conventions of this kind of thriller, offers a great deal of shock and gore. No better, no worse than many of its kind.

1. The popularity of this kind of violent melodrama? Multiple murders? Social problems and madness? A serious melodrama? Exploitive?

2. American cities, television, airing of social issues? The products of disturbed homes and consequent violence? The world of the hospital - as a location for this kind of thriller? Editing, pace, shocks? Musical score?

3. The basic theme of disturbed homes? The television discussion about battered wives? Sheila Munroe and her children? Colt Hawker and his background? Violence?

4. Deborah Ballin and her work, skills, the attack by Hawker? In hospital? Sheila and her friendship? Gary and his backing? Hawker's presence in the hospital, lurking and menacing? The confrontation in the hospital and Deborah's breaking out from her non-violence to kill Hawker?

5. Hawker and his physical presence, menace, the attack on Deborah, his apartment, the photographs, violent images, his attack on Sheila, his presence in the hospital, the violent struggle and his death?

6. Sheila and his work at the hospital, friendship with Deborah, the menace to her own life and her children, the friendship with Lisa, her going home, the attack by Hawker?

7. Lisa and her work as a prostitute? Presence at the clinic, her being assaulted by Colt, her going to his apartment, wrecking it? Her warning to Sheila?

8. The background of the television stations? Cary and his work, backing for Deborah? The importance of topical television? its sparking off crises?

9. The emphasis on incident, violence, melodrama? Exploration of background issues - or not?