THE STREETS OF L.A.

US, 1979, 94 minutes, Colour.
Joanne Woodward, Robert Webber.
Directed by Jerrold Freedman.

The Streets of L.A. is an interesting telemovie focusing on the situation in Los Angeles, the racial mix- the differences in classes and opportunity. violence and justice. At times it seems as if it could go the way of the vigilante movies. However, the film opts for a sympathetic meeting between various hostile groups in the city.

The film is interesting as a star vehicle for Joanna Woodward. She portrays a divorcee whose tyres are slashed by some young Hispanic Americans. She decides to pursue justice and get the money. There are clashes, humiliations, angers. However, the film ends in understanding and reconciliation.

An interesting thriller - but interesting also in terms of an optimistic story about race relationships and hostility.

1. An interesting and entertaining telemovie? For the home audience? Americans? World audiences? The city streets and incidents of any large city?

2. The telemovie style, incidents and characters for home audiences, identifying, emotional response?

3. The importance of the focus on Los Angeles: the opening and the end with the aerial shots, the radio commentaries? The use of city locations? Homes? Neighbourhoods? Violent sequences, special effects and stunt work? Musical score?

4. Los Angeles as an American city: the environment, the people, the racial mix, classes, distribution of wealth, illegal immigrants and the law, police, job opportunities, housing, education, industry?

5. The portrait of Carol: a middle-aged woman, divorced, with a daughter? Living with her brother and antagonising him? her real estate job, the interviews with the Jewish lady about her property? Her relationship with Ralph, the possibility of a liaison? Her night with him, the meal, his sleeping? His being demanding on the job? The final clash with him? In herself, lacking in confidence? Angry? Her discovering the boys slashing her tyres, the chase? The visit to the police, tracking them down? Visit to the student's house, the interview with the parents, the parents making him pay? His further meetings with her? The other boy deported to Mexico? The seeking out of Ramon, the initial clash, anger, humiliation, his mother and her consideration? Ramon's stances, hosing her? His standover tactics about the role of the Latin American man? Macho attitudes? Her visit to the restaurant, covering for him? The second visit and the clash, his losing his job? Her growing determination? Discussion with her brother? The background of the deals with the Jewish lady, the lost opportunities, the friendship with the lady, her getting special rights? The clash with Ralph? The final confrontation with Ramon? His deceiving her, in the slum, her being chased and bashed? The vividness of her plight? Ramon rescuing her? The talking things over? The resolution? His giving her the money, her refusal, his insisting she take it? Their realisation that they were both angry? Her learning from Ramon's mother with the humiliation of the American dress-seller - better taking a stance that being spat upon? Interesting portrait of an average American woman?

6. The film's paralleling Ramon's experience with Carol? Ramon in himself, his home, his mother and the sewing, the bad deals and the dress-sellers trying to cheat? His friends? The background of his father coming to America and dead in the car trunk? His job, the money, frustrations? Illegal presence? His dream of buying the truck? His rage and the clashing of the tyres? Running away? The encounter with Carol, his-abusing her? Hosing her? Her going to him at the restaurant? His fears? His standover tactics with her? His friend telling him off? Leaving him? The victimising of Carol, rescuing her, talking things over? Hopes?

7. The student, the three and the slashing of the tyres? The drinking, the anger, the background of home life? The student and his parents' insistence that he pay? The--friendship with Ramon, Ramon'$ insulting his father, breaking with him?

8. Carol's brother and his work at home, impatience with Carol, the talk between the two and their support?

9. Ralph and his deals, sexual relationship, going to sleep, final clash with Carol?

10. The Jewish lady and her background, hooker? Her property, deals, Carol's visits and her work? Understanding and giving special rights to Carol?

11. The various groups in Los Angeles, their lifestyles, whites, Mexicans?

12. The Mexican stories, the administration of the law, the round-up of illegal immigrants? The hold of proprietors over the Mexicans?

13. The liberal views of the film, optimism? Themes of justice? Race? Opportunities and anger?