JUST A LITTLE INCONVENIENCE

US, 1977, 100 minutes, Colour.
Lee Majors, Barbara Hershey, James Stacy.
Directed by Theodore J. Flicker.

Just a Little Inconvenience is an attractive and popular telemovie, given theatrical release. Designed as a vehicle for James Stacy, who lost an arm and a leg in a road accident, the film shows the story of a Vietnam veteran who loses an arm and a leg, is bitter against his friend whom he considers to have caused it and the friend's attempt at rehabilitating him. Since both are experts at skiing, skiing becomes the situation for the build-up to normality again. Stacy is interesting in the central role and shows his capacity for rehabilitation. He does his ski work himself. Lee Majors is stolid in the central role of the friend. Barbara Hershey is attractive as the teacher who falls in love with Stacy and has the difficult decision (shared by the audience) of whether she could marry him or not. The film has echoes of the Vietnam films of the late 70s, like The Deer Hunter. The film was written and directed by Theodore J. Flicker, noted for some caustic and satiric comedies like The President's Analyst, Up In The Cellar and the telemovie Playmates. This film is entertaining and appeals very much to the emotions.

1. The appeal of the film, interest in its themes, the impact of telemovies with social background and emotional appeal for underprivileged people?

2. The background of Vietnam, the war and individual involvement, injuries? The war and its end as the horizon for this film? The visuals of the war and fighting?

3. The skiing background of the film? The opening and the skiing down the slopes, the amount of time devoted to ski shots, its integration in the plot? The response of an audience interested in skiing, an audience not familiar with skiing?

4. The comment that the film was a true story - how authentic did it seem? A story of friendship, love-hate, injury and resentment, the need for healing, rehabilitation, the possibility of love? How well were these thews presented in the characters? As persuasive for the audience? The optimism of the film?

5. The world of amputees and paraplegics and quadriplegics? The cause of injury, accidents, blame, resentment, the need for healing, rehabilitation? People unable to share fully the experience of the condition? How far was the film successful as an exercise in empathy?

6. The phases of response to the injured as explained by Ken? Shock, curiosity, compensation, acceptance? Did this illustrate the response of the audience? How well was it illustrated in Nicky's reaction?

7. The initial focus on Ken as a winner, his boasting, his drive for success, West Point and his family traditions of military officers, his participation in the war, the decision which led to his injury and its correctness or not? The contrast with Frank and his being satisfied to come second although a winner, his studies, his presence in Vietnam? The build-up of the bond between the two. the necessity of the decision, Ken's reaction against Frank and the injury? The presentation of the fighting and its authenticity and the emotional decisions which led to the injury?

8. The contrast with their meeting again in San Francisco, Ken and his drinking and bitterness.. his public abuse of Frank? Frank and his attempts to find Ken over the twelve-month period? The visit to the doctor, the encounter in the wards and Frank's telling Ken off? The arrangement for the ski rehabilitation on the German model? Ken's attacks on Frank? His determination, falling, Frank letting him get up by himself? The gradual possibility of reconciliation? The opening of Ken's resentment, Frank's guilt feelings? The final telling of the truth and the possibility of healing and a future?

9. The bond between the two men. the skiing training and Ken's resentment, his determination? Their discussions about skis and outriggers? Ken's success? His breaking his leg and explaining the possibilities of success to his fellow patients?

10. The introduction of the character of Nicky, her attractiveness, the talk at the bar and Ken's not telling the full truth? Her reaction to the truth and her telling him off? The reaction of Ken and its bringing him to his senses? His showing off for her? Training for her? The significance of her opting out of the appointment? Frank's visit and her telling of the truth, the effect of his confrontation? Her return and her saying that she was unsure? Ken's resentment of this? Her going through the various phases that he outlined? Her decision to visit him in the hospital, meet his friends? The proposal and her needing time? Her saying 'Yes'?

11. How well presented by the screenplay was Nicky's dilemma, her choices? The audience sharing these and understanding the difficulty of relating to people with disabilities?

12. How well did the film present the world of arnputees, their feelings of injury, trying to cope, comradeship in the wards? The work of the doctors?

13. The fact that James Stacy lost an arm and a leg and the intensity that he brought to the role? Authenticity? The final joy of the group skiing down the mountain?

14. The significance of the title, its use at the end of the film, indications of optimism?