THE FAN
US, 1981, 95 minutes, Colour.
Lauren Bacall, James Garner, Maureen Stapleton, Hector Elizondo, Michael Biehn.
Directed by Edward Bianchi.
The Fan capitalises on Lauren Bacall's career as a cinema and stage star. She plays a variation on herself ? with a touch of singing and dancing. However, the film is not so much about theatrical life (although there are touches, Marvin Hamlisch and Tim Rice songs and Bob Fosse style choreography) but a grisly thriller in the vein of so many films after Halloween in the late '70s. A psychotic fan stalks a star and the people who work for her. The original novel relied on a series of letters ? and some of this is retained in the screenplay of the film. But it is opened out and presented in a somewhat grisly manner.
The film captures something of theatrical life, violence in the United States especially in New York and the obsessive adulation of fans as well as the cultivation of fan clubs. The heroine eventually takes a strong stand, turning the tables on her murderous fan. There is a good performance by Maureen Stapleton as the star's secretary. Audiences might note the similarity in basic plot between the fan and the old story of The Phantom of the opera.
1. The impact of the film as thriller? Glimpse of the theatre world of New York? A picture of violence in the United States associated with celebrities? The grisly style of knife murder films in the '70s and '80s? The links with The Phantom of the Opera, the fan as the phantom, the star as the singer whose career the phantom aids, the murders of those blocking the progress of the star etc.?
2. The film's emphasis on communication: the opening credits with the typing of the letter, the use of letters, phone calls, recorded messages? The themes of communication, confrontation?
3. The New York atmosphere, the city itself, theatre, hotels, apartments? The colour photography, use of light and darkness? The roving camera especially during the opening credits, for Douglas Breen's room? The use of close-ups for character, fear? The gory murders? Editing for effect? The fade-in and fade-out technique? (Did this echo the fade-in, fade-out lack of reality of Douglas Breen?) The contrast of the ordinary New York world and the world of the theatre with the dark world of the fan? Musical score with strong chords for fear? Terror? Marvin Hamlisch songs and Tim Rice lyrics?
4. The presentation of devices of communication: the composing, sending and reading of letters? Phone calls? Individuals and speaking, communicating, non-communicating? The isolation of the fan who pries on the star? Surveillance, watching, police guard? Names given but yet names being anonymous? The film's comment on communication? The barriers in communicating, in the people themselves, the means of communication?
5. The portrait of the fan as portrayed composing his letter during the credits? How clear were his attitudes towards himself, reality, his work? The fantasies at work and the confrontation with his boss and the reality of not confronting? The clashes with the people that he worked with? The psychotic aspects? His imagining the star at dinner and his sister's interruption? Her comment about fantasy and the past? His manner of stalking Sally Ross? His arrogance as communicated in the letters? The clashes with Belle? The sexual overtones and innuendo? His being hurt by Belle's letters? His delivering the letter himself, animosity towards Belle, stalking her in the subway and slashing, sending the note to Sally Ross, the means used to slash David? His wariness of the police? His hiding in the room, killing the maid, destroying the room? The picking up of the homosexual, leading him on, killing and burning him? His concealing his identity? His behaviour at home, the shower and the talk about sexuality, dressing himself for going to the premiere? His response to the play, his applause? The build-up to the final confrontation, the murder of the assistant and the old man? His chasing Sally, his declarations of love, attitudes of violence, humiliation? The confrontation between the two? His death and his being seated in the theatre as Sally walked out? The character drawing, the presentation of motives? The character presented in sufficient depth? The use of conventions for this kind of character?
6. The thematic points being made about fans, making idols of stars, the unreal world, the cult and the use of photos, letters? The fan and thinking that he knew the star well? Protecting her? The fantasy life and acting it out? The role of secretaries to protect stars? The responsibility of the stars for their fans and their attitudes? The star wanting to please all the fans? The build-up to confrontation between Sally and Bill? To the confrontation with Douglas? The glamour of the theatre compared with the real life of the star? Lauren Bacall's presence as Sally Ross? The photos of the past? The echoes of her own films, stage career, success? Her age? Her screen persona? The adulation of fans? The support of Belle? The relationship with her husband? Her memories, career, break with Jake? Ringing him? Her loneliness? The meal with Jake? The party and the confrontation with Heidi? The possibility of a relationship? Her relying on him? The close of the show meeting the group for rehearsals, the rehearsal sequences, friendship with David, the prima donna behaviour during rehearsals?
8. The letters and her not listening, Belle's trying to communicate with her? Her reaction to Belle's injury and visiting her in hospital? David? The encounter with Inspector Andrews. friendship, the quiet talking, relying on his protection? The policewoman and her protection? The smashing of the room and the killing of the maid? The sequences in the beach house and her fear with the neighbour calling at night? The quiet scenes with Jake on the beach? The fear moving to serenity?
9. The background of the show, the songs and lyrics, dancing style? The preparations and the premiere? Success? The aftermath of the success, the party, Inspector Andrews, Jake? Her being trapped in the theatre, discovering the murders, her fear, her decision to take a stand, her speaking out to Douglas, sneering at him, the sudden killing of him? The protective self-assertion?
10. The character of Belle - at work, her ordinary life, the repartee with Sally? The clash about protection? Her being slashed? The hospital sequences and her return? A sketch of the devoted secretary?
11. Jake, the husband type, support of Sally, parties, Heidi, reconciliation with Sally?
12. Inspector Andrews, background, work, helping, talking, shyness, presence at the play?
13. The set pieces for creating atmosphere, parties, rehearsals? How authentic did the thriller seem? The world of show business? The music and lyrics - and the musical style of the '80s?
14. A satisfying thriller? Symbol of American violence and paranoia?
