DIRTY TRICKS

US, 1992, 88 minutes, Colour.
Diane Keaton, Ed Harris, Ed Begley Jnr, Russ Tamblyn.
Directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg?.

Dirty Tricks is an HBO telemovie for theatrical release around the world. It has a good cast led by Diane Keaton and Ed Harris working off each other dramatically, comically and romantically. Ed Begley appears to advantage as Diane Keaton's lovesick and psychologically upset brother. Russ Tamblyn appears as a sleazy remnant of the frank 1960s.

The film focuses on Diane Keaton as the author of children's books who encounters someone she had a crush on at school who is now a state senator. He is running for the Presidency of the United States, approaches her, offers her a job as a speechwriter, enters into a relationship with her and hopes to have her as First Lady. She resists, being afraid of the limelight. When a film that she took part in with her former husband, an experimental film poking fun at the American flag in 1969 surfaces, the scandal threatens to upset the presidential campaign. The candidate wants her to lie. She refuses. Even after hush-money is given to the sleazy blackmailer, the press start asking questions. This leads from the comedy and the romance to a very strong speech, spoken effectively by Ed Harris, arguing that the follies of the past should not be held against people, and that people grow out of their past. It is also an appeal to fair dealing and decency by the media.

Direction is by English Michael Lindsay-Hogg? (Nasty Habits, The Object of Desire).

1. An entertaining comedy-romance? The tradition of American romances of people in middle age, the wisecracks, the dramatic tension, the comedy, love? In the "Tracy-Hepburn" tradition?

2. The setting of the presidential campaign, the home town, on the trail, scenes in New York? A contemporary feel?

3. The title, the reference to the campaign, the strategies and tactics, the dirty tricks used, the role of blackmailers, digging up the past, the role of the media?

4. The plausibility of the plot, the film made in 1991-92 during the first Bush administration? The aftermath of the Nixon and Reagan years? Made before the Clinton years? The relevance of the film after the Clinton years?

5. Aggie, at home, her ex-husband and his art, her feeling bereft because he left her for another woman? Her success as a children's writer, her awards? Her exasperation with Chapman, trying to get him active again, turning off the record "You Are Beautiful"?

6. Going out to the diner, Hugh Hathaway coming in, her not wanting to be seen, her Annie Hall-like awkwardness? Chapman and his exasperating behaviour, wanting the all-white omelette? The overtones of racism? His own preoccupations about his broken marriage? The fact that he was a successful songwriter, having an album? Meeting the politicians?

7. Aggie and the encounter with the advisers, memories of school? The meeting with Hugh? Promising to go to lunch with him? Her hesitation, going to his office, his being busy, the phone calls? Going on ahead, the senate dining room, left alone, the waiter, ordering? His arrival, his talking to another senator? Her performance about sexual favours in his office?

8. His coming to the home, proposing a relationship, cooking? Her succumbing? Offering her a job? Their discussions about her role, her not wanting to be in the limelight, her wanting to tell the truth? His being in love with her?

9. His advisers, the advertising firm, Mel and the meetings, the running of a campaign, the cliches for the speeches, their being supervised? Aggie going to the meetings, asking awkward questions? Mel's exasperation? Exasperated with her on the campaign trail, the interviews she gave, the seemingly snide remarks about Hathaway? His wanting to control her, persuading Hugh to talk to her, his trying to calm her down, tell her she was feverish? Her reaction?

10. The romantic sequences, a genuine love, the preparations for marriage, the announcing of the engagement? The photo opportunity, the journalists wanting her to be photographed, kissing, waving the flag, her walking out? Her not wanting to face this kind of world?

11. On the campaign trail, Hugh making a speech, given the information about the film? Frank Usher as a sleaze, his remembering the film, asking for the money? The discussions with Hugh, getting the money and making promises? Hugh and the entourage seeing the film, 1969, the flag, bare breasts, simulated sex? Satire - in the name of art? How seriously should it have been taken?

12. The clash between Aggie and Hugh over the film? His wanting her to lie? Her not being able to? Coming back from New York, the Iowa nomination? Her listening to the speech? The press asking the question about the film, her going in to answer it, Hugh coming clean, speaking frankly to the press, affirming Aggie, talking about the follies of the past, its relevance to the campaign? The challenge to the media to ask proper questions, the pseudo-moral stance of the journalists? Decency? The effectiveness of the speech, its content and delivery? The applause - and the future success of the nomination?

13. A satisfying brief comedy, adult relationships, politics, integrity and truth?