HALF MOON STREET
US/British, 1986, 90 minutes, Colour.
Michael Caine, Sigourney Weaver.
Directed by Bob Swaim.
Half Moon Street is an espionage thriller with a touch of exploitation. It is based on the novel `Dr Slaughter' by Paul Theroux, several of whose novels have been filmed: Mosquito Coast, Saint Jack.
The film received exceptionally bad reviews on its first release. However, it repays a second viewing where it is much more coherent, better acted and plotted than might have been first expected. It was the work of Bob Swaim, an American director living in Paris, who achieved international success with the thriller La Balance. His follow-up film to Half Moon Street was Masquerade with Rob Lowe.
Sigourney Weaver is a strong presence on screen and gives some credibility to Lauren Slaughter. Michael Caine is at his suave best as the English diplomat. There is an interesting supporting cast representing Palestinians, Indians, as well as British Intelligence.
1.Interesting thriller? Conspiracy and espionage? Sex and exploitation?
2.British locations, London settings, the countryside? Geneva? International atmosphere? Musical score?
3.The title, the title of the original novel? The focus?
4.Sigourney Weaver as Lauren Slaughter: her screen presence, her skills and academic background, work in China? Expertise on the Middle East? At the institute, discussions with Julian about grants, his lies? The general and his stealing her information for his article? Her social life? Meeting van Arkady? The discussion about the 5000 and the elite? At her apartment, friendship with Lindsay, fixing the shower? The difference between having prestige and money?
5.The video sent to her, her looking at it, her disbelief? Attracted to the idea? Her lack of money? Her decision to go to the Jasmine agency? Discussions with Twilley? Her routines, the visitors from out of town, her work as an escort? Her moral background, her explanations about herself, her own self-control, her decision as regards sexual encounters? Making money?
6.The Palestinian, meeting him socially, in connection with van Arkady? His arranging the flat for her, its being well-appointed? Their interactions, her puzzle about him? The film buff discussions, Beat the Devil, etc?
7.Seeing Sam on television, his negotiations for peace in the Middle East? His personal skills? Part of the nobility? Lauren meeting him, as his escort? His explanations about his being a widower, no time for complicated sex and relationships? Her explanation of herself, her lover in China, sinful relationships? Her work, his seeing her with her escorts? Meeting her at socials? Her not answering his calls? The country visit and his arrangement of it, their meetings? Their birthdays? The hopes for the meeting in Geneva? His continually being busy?
8.Lauren and her clients, her academic work and speeches, the applause? Going to Geneva? Meeting Sonny, the squash court? Sam and his opting out of engagements? Her disappointment? The appointment at her flat? Sonny and his attack on her, confrontation, her shrewdness and his death? The Palestinian and his attempt to kill Sam? Her dilemma at opening the door?
9.The revelation of what had really happened, her being used? Terrorism, the attacks on peace in the Middle East? The 5000 and the elite?
10.Backgrounds of espionage, conspiracies, the British government and infiltration? The human element spoiling detached and significant negotiations? Police surveillance? To the rescue?
11.The role of the woman and the career woman, her position, considered ambitious? Sexual relationships, escort services, attitudes of men?
12.The combination of thriller with social observation?
