HUSH

US, 1998, 96 minutes, Colour.
Jessica Lange, Gwyneth Paltrow, Johnathon Schaech, Nina Foch, Debi Mazar, Hal Holbrook.
Directed by Jonathan Darby.

One option for actresses nearing 50 is to play mothers. An addition to the option is to play Joan Crawford-like mothers. And Jessica Lange has taken the option. Nice and wealthy Jonathan Schaech, devoted to mother, brings home nice bride, Gwynneth Paltrow, and Jessica Lange acts nicely, emphasis on the acts, because it soon emerges that she is a scheming, possessive mother. An elegant-looking thriller of menace, that passes the time well enough. Jessica Lange as Joan Crawford!

1. An over-the-top melodrama, Hollywood style? For Jessica Lange? The credibility of the plot, the characters? The themes? The tone of realism for an unrealistic story?

2. New York life, the contrast with life at the estate in the country, the mansion?

3. The strong cast?

4. Helen and Jackson, their characters, relationship? Their love for each other? Helen becoming pregnant, the prospect of the baby? The build-up to the birth?

5. The film belonging to Jessica Lange, her role as a dominating mother-in-law? Her appearance, clothes, glamour? Her past, her husband, his accidental death, Jackson witnessing it? His mother caring for Jackson, protective, over-protective? Her wanting him to come and live at the estate, her wanting to continue the family line – why? Her external charm, smile? Her sinister behaviour? The scenes with Jackson, the touch of the oedipal? Her reactions to Helen, her treatment of Helen? At home, Helen getting out of bed and confronting Martha? Her behaviour with the people in the town, her place in society? Her relationship with Alice, her despising of her mother-in-law, putting her in an institution? The role of the doctor? The build-up of Martha’s character, her erratic behaviour, the audience seeing what she was really like? The build-up to the climax, her wanting the baby, the clashes with Helen, the violence, the attempt to kill Helen? Jackson’s reaction? The truth about his father?

6. Jackson, a weak character, his love for Helen? The dominance of his mother? At her beck and call? An oedipal complex? His father’s death – and his blaming himself? This being reinforced? Going to the country, his indecision? The life in the country, his mother wanting him to run the estate? Helen’s reactions? His disbelief about his mother? The attempt on Helen’s life? His changing his attitude? Learning the truth?

7. Alice, a strong character, her insinuations against Martha? Her talking with Helen, confiding in her? Helen depending on her for friendship? Her being in an institution? The confrontation with Martha?

8. Helen and her world, Lisa as her colleague, discussions with Lisa, getting advice?

9. The country life, the horses, the estate, riding? The possibility of sales? The differences with the New York lifestyle?

10. The sporting characters, people in the town, Martha’s society?

11. The build-up to the birth, Doctor Hill? The nurse? Protecting Helen? Martha and her contrivances, the violence? Her being exposed?

12. The aftermath – Helen and Jackson escaping? Martha’s future?