ROSES BLOOM TWICE
Australia, 1977, 90 minutes, Colour.
Directed by David Stevens.
Roses Bloom Twice is a telemovie from the late '70s, a period when the Australian industry made quite a number of telemovies. This one focuses on a widow, the concern of her daughter about her mother living what she considers a proper life. The mother, with strong memories of her husband, is in something of a depression. However, she meets an ex-army officer who cultivates roses and a romance follows. The daughter has to cope with what is happening to her mother. The title is obviously symbolic of the widow coming to life again in her relationship.
The film was written by Tony Morphett, a veteran writer of many telemovies and mini-series. Direction is by David Stevens, who was to go on to direct A Town Like Alice, The Clinic, Undercover and, in the United States, Kansas. In the late '80s he was living in the United States and a successful playwright.
1. Interesting and entertaining telemovie? Human drama? Relationships?
2. The Sydney settings, affluent suburbs, workplaces? The authentic atmosphere of the city? The musical score?
3. The title, the reference to Diana? Her relationship with Frank and his growing roses?
4. The focus on Diana, a portrait: the widow, grieving for her husband, alone, going out by herself, on the streets, with people, the cinema? At home, the strange prowler - with the serious tone, the comic tone? Her fears and ringing the police? Her relationship with Maryanne and Gabe? Maryanne and her concern? Gabe and his easygoing attitude? Her relationship with Peter? The socials, the parties? Her not being interested? The gradual change? Having meals with Liz and discussing relationships? Betty and the old friends avoiding her? Some charity work? The social, her encounter with Frank? Going home? The change of attitude and Maryanne's being upset, prying on her mother? The friendship with Frank, the outings, the discussions? Getting to know each other? The dancing? Maryanne's disapproval? Gabe and his approval? Peter and his concern and the fight? Diana coming alive, the prospects of marriage, the sexual encounters? Her future? The symbol of the rose?
5. Frank, meeting Diana at the party, his military background, the divorce and the visit of his ex-wife? Friendship with Diana, the outings together, enjoying the company, the roses? The reaction of the children, the dance, his frank way of speaking, the fight with Peter? The relationship - and its future?
6. Maryanne and Gabe, the permissive generation, living together, her refusal to marry Gabe? Their domestic life? Her not wanting a child? Gabe and his wanting to get married? His Jewish background, his mother? The picnic and his mother staying in the car, Diana and her sitting in the car with her? Her wanting children? Gabe's grief at her death? Gabe and his approval of Diana, of Frank, being supportive? The discussions with Maryanne? The possibilities of marriage? Maryanne and her concern, phone calls, visits, getting Peter involved? Her changing her stance? The prospect of marriage and family? The feminist tone and her wanting a career, achievement, travel?
7. Peter, his practice, his doctor talk - and his cliche of people coming in and out of his surgery? Concern for his mother? The fight with Frank?
8. Liz, the society women, Diana's friends, introductions, talk about men? Her interest in Frank and bringing them together?
9. Betty, the Jewish mother, her concern about her son, wanting children? Silent in the car, refusing to eat? The friendship with Diana? Her death and the ceremonies?
10. Diana's friends, their embarrassment at her being a widow, society dinners and companions? Charity work?
11. Interesting glimpse of Sydney city life, portrait of a middle-aged woman, her grief, her crisis, coming alive again? The concerns of the younger generation - and their moralising tone for others rather than themselves?
