CAL

UK, 1984, 98 minutes, Colour.
John Lynch, Helen Mirren, Donal Mc Cann, Ray Mc Anally.
Directed by Pat O'Connor.

Cal has been described as a love story set in the background of the troubles in Northern Ireland. It is. The film shows an unlikely romance between a widow of a murdered policeman and a young out-of work Belfast lad. Helen Mirren, winner of the Best Actress award at Cannes 1984, brings vitality and mystery to the role of the widow. John Lynch plays Cal with the blend of vulnerability, fear and male aggression. There is an excellent Irish supporting cast.

The film presents both sides of the troubles in Northern Ireland, though it emphasises the Catholics as being oppressed. However, there is violence and bigotry on both sides. Religion is also part of the background.

There have been many films about Northern Ireland. In the early '80s there were the semi-documentaries The Writing on the Wall and Acceptable Levels - using improvised theatre and the techniques of television reporting to illuminate the troubles.

The film was co-produced by David Putnam (Chariots of Fire, The Killing Fields) and production values. The film shows something of the reality of the social situation while focusing on the emotional relationship.

1. The impact of the film? Topical? Its acclaim, awards?

2. The use of Irish locations: the city, places of work, homes, the streets, the road-blocks? The countryside and work? The seasons, snow and rain? The atmospheric score? Audience response to Ireland and its troubles?

3. The presentation of various sides? Tradition, religion, politics, violence, terrorism? The pros and cons of each side? Rights and wrongs? How well did the film present each side? Bigotry, terror, violence? The role of the police? The role of the British?

4. Slogans on the wall? The speeches - especially by Dunlop after the burning of Cal's house? The attitudes of the police? Northern Ireland and the love for the British - the marches of the Orangemen, the Union Jacks, the photos of the royal family? The tradition of Irish struggles for freedom? Politics, power, demonstrations and marches, the role of the British, the blockades, arrests? A feel for the occupation of Northern Ireland and its struggle?

5. The Catholic background, the celebration of Mass? The preacher with his slogans around the countryside and in the city?

6. The structure of the film: the framework of the murder: the subjective beginning, the prologue with Bob's death and his calling to Marcella? Cal encountering Marcella in the library? His pursuit of her, the interlocking of their lives, falling in love, guilt, truth, responsibility? Cal's memory becoming clearer? The consequences and his arrest?

7. The film ending with his leaving the house where he had first come as driver? Cal and his age, appearance, nervousness, presence? The bond with his father? His not working in the abattoirs?

8. At home in his room? The relationship with his father -friendship and love? The father as a good man, a good worker, strong, the vigil when the note appeared under the door, his communicating with his son, his stubbornness, the burning of the house, his collapse, staying with his brother, his being taken to the asylum?

9. Cal and his driving for the IRA, the loner, the experience of the killing, his growing nervousness and fear, his being bashed by the three thugs, the encounter with Marcella in the library, his gawky behaviour, taking chances., his going to deliver the wood, coming back to chop it, working in the potato fields, being hired. the cottage and making it his home. becoming a tenant, his relationship with the family, his apprehensiveness about the old man - who called him 'a good boy'? Sharing with Marcella - in the street, the road-block. the library, seeing her at Mass? Her helping him with his house? The Italian meal - and her resistance? Her apology, the sexual relationship? Her telling the truth about her husband? The teacher and the interview. the job driving for the cinema robbery? The encounters with Crilly - and his setting the bomb in the bookshop at Christmas time? His being picked up, Skeffington's interrogation. the car breaking through the barrier, his escape? The finale with his asking Marcella's forgiveness but being unable to speak out the truth? His being taken away, arrested? A portrait of a young Irishman? Understanding? His past and his future?

10. Marcella as the policeman's wife, the people's comments on a mixed religious marriage. her work in the library, at Church with Lucy. the encounters with Cal and her not remembering him? At home. the relationship with her mother-in-law., the clashes. with the old man and his coughing? Her friendship with Cal. helping him to move into the house? The old man going to hospital and her relief? Her Italian background, making the meal, her resistance? Her later going to Cal's house? The effect of the relationship? Her sensing the truth? Her not wanting to hear it at the end?

11. The mother-in-law and her toughness, work. looking after the old man. Dunlop and his giving Cal lifts? The picture of the Protestants?

12. Skeffington as a teacher. his father. his ruthlessness, the plans, his hold over Cal. his drivers not obeying his orders, his death? Crilly as a hoodlum. psychopath, carrying out orders? His vindictiveness towards Cal?

13. The impact of the love story, the quality of the relationship and its being well-drawn?

14. Social observation - daily life in Northern Ireland, the ordinariness. the tensions, the outbreaks. houses burnt, people bashed. the presence of the police?

15. Film as an effective way of communicating the realities of the Irish situation?