RECKLESS

US, 1984, 90 minutes, Colour.
Aidan Quinn, Daryll Hannah, Kenneth Mc Millan, Lois Smith, Cliff de Young, Adam Baldwin.
Directed by James Foley.

Reckless is one of the many youth films of the early '80s. It was written by Chris Columbus (Gremlins, Young Sherlock Holmes and director of A Night On The Town). It was directed by James Foley (At Close Range, Who's That Girl). The stars are the moody Aidan Quinn (Desperately Seeking Susan, Stakeout, The Mission) and Daryl Hannah (Splash, Blade runner, Wall Street). There are guest spots for Kenneth Mc Millan as the hero's father and Cliff de Young as a teacher.

The film is set in a Mid- West industrial city, focuses on the rebellious youth - the sports hero who is embittered towards his parents, is infatuated with the attractive girl, is looked down on by the class leader. Aidan Quinn brings a solemnity to the role - and it is hard for some audiences to be sympathetic towards his plight. However, there is a vigour about the film, reminiscent of Marlon Brando's The Wild One. The film is a slice of life, inconclusive in its picture about modern youth and especially in the resolution - which is vaguely reckless.

1. Interesting youth film? The style of youth film of the '80s compared with previous decades? Unrest and rebellion?

2. The American industrial city, houses and streets, wealth and middle class houses, school? Stunts and special effects, especially for the bike-riding? The musical score and its range of songs of the '80s?

3. The title, its relationship to Johnny, to Tracy? The ending?

4. The focus on Johnny: his background in the city, his father and his industrial work, the mixed relationship with his father, giving him cheek, the gift of the money when he was going out, the clash when he brought the girlfriend home, his bitterness about his mother, his father's death and his reaction, the funeral, the photo of his mother, setting fire to the house? His being a sports champion? The film's background to his present state of rebellion and recklessness? His bike and his riding? The motif of the swerve with the car on the height? His behaviour in school, classes, conventional? His attraction towards Tracy, being paired with her at the dance, the clash with Randy? Going off with her, the sexual encounter, at her home, her mother returning, the brother helping him out the window? His demands on her? Her coming to him, her ambiguous attitudes? His resentment, his father's death? Growing recklessness? The speech and his calling Tracy out? The examination of the files? The confrontation with her, asking her to go with him, riding off - where? A credible portrait of an angry and rebellious teenager?

5. Tracy as the glamorous and wealthy girl at the school, the difference in class between herself and Johnny? Randy as her boyfriend? Her behaviour in class, attraction towards Johnny, being paired with him, the dance, his putting on the different record, the confrontation with Randy? Her going with him, the sexual encounter, at home, her mother's return? Going to Johnny? In the school offices, ransacking the files? Her relationship with Randy? Called out of the speeches, the demand that she go with him? Her decision to go?

7. Randy as the wealthy son of a mining executive, his presumptions, behaviour towards Johnny, disdain, the fights? Proprietorial rights over Tracy? Her rejecting him?

8. The sketch of Johnny's father, his work, at home, love for his son, the absent mother, the girlfriends and the clash with Johnny, his death and funeral?

9. The portrait of the school, the teachers, concern, interest in the students, sports coaching? The atmosphere of school?

10. Life in the American city of the '80s? Education, employment? The differences in wealth and class? Sports and study achievement? Rebellion?