DAVID

US, 1988, 96 minutes, Colour.
Bernadette Peters, John Glover, Matthew Lawrence.
Directed by John Erman.

David is a telemovie based on a true story: of a divorced couple and their love for their son, the mother trying to protect the son from an obsessive father (with a criminal record) who ultimately abducts his son and sets him on fire (seemingly as a means of getting revenge on his wife). The boy recovered from his very serious burns, especially with the care of his mother. This is a horrifying story, especially in relation to the status of the family in contemporary society, marriage break-up, the effect on the children, on the psychological stability of the separated parents.

Bernadette Peters, so adept as a comedian and star of musicals has a change of pace in her performance as the mother. John glover, an expert at menace (Somebody Killed Her
Husband, Gremlins 2) is credible as the obsessive Charlie. The film has a good cast making it an interesting as well an effective telemovie for a wide audience.

Direction is by John Erman, director of many similar telemovies as well as such cinema features as Stella with Bette Midler.

1. Impact of the film as a telemovie, true story, for the home audience, interest, entertainment, thought provoking?

2. The home situation, the travels to California, the hospital locations, the court? Audiences identifying with characters and the situations?

3. The title and the focus on David? The memoir by his mother?

4. The focus on David, his age, the little boy, the delight of his mother, the home scenes, friendship with John? Going with his father, enjoying the outings, the bond with his father? School? Going with his father, being taken away to California, enjoying the holiday together, becoming bored, in the arcades? The interaction between father and son - then the burning and the suffering? In hospital, conscious, nodding his head, gradually recovering, the amount of pain? His bond with his mother and John? Their sustaining him? Asking to see himself in a mirror, thinking he was a monster? The reassurance of the man who had been burnt? Gradual recovery, getting on his feet? The reaction to the knowledge that his father burnt him, the therapy of expressing anger? On his feet, released from hospital, the press response? The final photos of the real David?

5. Marie, ordinary woman, the break-tip of the marriage, not knowing the truth about Charlie's criminal record until after the marriage? Giving him visiting rites? Her love, the warrant for Charlies arrest? Going to the hospital, the support of John, her initial horror, the determination to stand by David encouraging him? Antagonistic towards the staff? Making her point, collaboration with the Doctor, the therapists? The continued support? Charlies' arrest, trial, her impassioned plea for a severe sentence, her reaction to his speech in the court? The final success with bringing David back to a new life?

6. Charlie, his background, the marriage, the break-up, love for his son, antagonism towards Marie? Criticising her, playing with the boy? The obsessive nature of his talk, behaviour, the new job, wanting to tell David? Going to see John with special pleading? The decision to take David away, the time together - was? the burning premeditated or not? The difficulties, watching David burn? the phone call enquiry, the arrest, discussions with psychologists, his obtuseness? In the court, his asking forgiveness and giving forgiveness? The severity of the judges sentence? His watching the television with Mattie and David? Portrait of Charlie and his insanity?

7. John, police, love for Marie, love for David, continued support, leave of absence, having to go back to work, standing by the family?

8. The doctor, the therapist, the man who was burnt and had plastic surgery, the nurses? Their care for David, professional skills, therapy?

9. The case, the judge and his final speech, after Charlie's asking forgiveness? The severity of his comments?

10. The impact of films like this? Real situations, the humanity of the situation, the challenge? Basis for hope?