WETHERBY
UK, 1985, 97 minutes, Colour.
Vanessa Redgrave, Joely Richardson, Judi Dench, Ian Holm, Tim Mc Inerny, Susanna Hamilton.
Directed by David Hare.
Wetherby was written and directed by playwright David Hare. He is the author of such plays and screenplays as: Saigon, Year of the Cat (directed by Stephen Frears), Lickin' Hitler, Plenty (direct by Fred Schepisi). Hare went on to direct films of his own screenplays such as Paris by Night and Strapless.
Hare is interested in the England of the '80s with his Yorkshire setting: ordinary people, the Thatcher government and vision of society (Mrs Thatcher getting revenge on people for some unknown offence), the humdrum life in Britain and its destructiveness. However, this is contrasted with the past - which also had its difficulties (this time brief flashbacks to the early '50s and National Service in Malaya).
Hare is excellently served by his cast with Vanessa Redgrave in the central role. Judi Dench and Ian Holm are very good in vocalising various attitudes in Thatcher England. Susannah Hamilton represents the younger generation and Tim Mc Inerney is the enigmatic young man who kills himself and highlights the drama in Wetherby.
The film is demanding in its presentation of social themes, philosophising as well as study of the complexities of human nature and relationships.
1.The work of David Hare? Playwright, screenplay writer, opening out his plays? Direction?
2.England in the '80s, Mrs Thatcher's England - and the punishment theme for ordinary people? Social climate, education, economics, philosophy, morality? Comparisons with the past?
3.The Yorkshire settings and atmosphere, the town, Jean's house, the big cafe, the school? Realistic atmosphere? Musical score?
4.The dinner and the meeting of the guests? First impressions? The dinner and the guests arriving as seen in the various memories? Inclusion of facts, omissions? Particular perspectives and interpretation? The guests and Jean's welcome? The arrival, John Morgan, the meal, drinking, discussing? The drip through the roof? John and Jean going upstairs? Jean changing her dress, somebody remembering this detail? The audience gradually finding out about the interaction between Jean and John, sexual, its repercussions?
5.Vanessa Redgrave as Jean, a dedicated teacher and her interactions with her students in class, her questions, her relationships? Friends? Living alone, her style? Her values? The encounter with John Morgan, the dinner, hostess, the welcome, her response to his reflections on emotions, the sexual encounter, the return to the meal, talking with him - and being shattered by his killing himself? Her ability to cope, the effect on her? Langdon and the police investigation? Marcia and her husband? Her other friends? Going to work, the funeral?
6.The young woman and her arrival, moving in, her relationship with John Morgan? Jean trying to understand her? Her lack of emotionality, enigmatic? Questions of blame for Morgan's death? Settling in, eating, coming alive watching the television? Emotional or not? The flashbacks for the interactions with John Morgan, his sexual advances, wanting sympathy, her keeping him at a distance? Her questions? Jean wanting her away? The interaction between the two women, mutual enlightenment?
7.Langdon, the investigation? Questions for Jean? Meeting him and his girlfriend in the cafe, the truth about his relationship and her leaving him? His work, university background, not quite fitting in in Wetherby? The investigation, his depression? His encounters with Jean, the relationship, mutual understanding and dependence? Sexual? The sketch of his girlfriend and the background of her marriage, her lies, returning to her husband?
8.Marcia and her husband, their work - accounting and library, their style, the husband's comment about marrying and being lonely, his observations about Mrs Thatcher punishing the British? Drinking, philosophising? The flashback with Marcia and the encounter with John Morgan at the library and her being sharp with him? The husband's easy talking with Jean, helping her cope? Marcia as her best friend - and the memories of the past?
9.The other guests, talking, arguing, husbands and wives, bickering, philosophy and economics, memories of the dinner and information to the police - especially about Jean changing her dress?
10.The young woman and her memories, John Morgan and his anxiety, her feelings, the attack, repelled, the impulse to come to his funeral - sense of responsibility?
11.John Morgan and his arrival, reticent at the door, at the meal, the discussion about feelings? The flashbacks and his having seen Jean and Marcia at the second-hand shop? The talk of murder and murderers seeking out second-hand clothes? The violence of his interactions with the young girls, his needs, state of mind, with Jean, his return, the violent killing of himself? Placing the responsibility on Jean?
12.Jean and her memories, as a young girl, the passionate relationship, going to Peter's parents, the formalities, talk about marriage, her wanting to study? His going to Malaya, seven years, her not stopping him? Love and clashes, the airport parting? Her memories? Grief and the consequences for her life?
13.Peter going to Malaya, war and action, his friend, the gambling, the sudden violence and unnecessary reality of his death?
14.The humanity of the film, individuals, a community, society? Depth of understanding and feeling? Truth and lies? A portrait of England in the '80s?
