VITAL SIGNS
US, 1986, 100 minutes, Colour.
Ed Asner, Gary Cole, Kate Mc Neil, John Randolph, Barbara Barrie.
Directed by Stuart Miller.
Vital Signs is a good telemovie about alcoholism and drug addiction. It focuses on two doctors, father and son, played by Ed Asner and Gary Cole. The father is a celebrated doctor and surgeon, but an alcoholic. His son has a sports knee injury but has become a drug junkie.
The film focuses on each in their career, the need for a confrontation, an eventual bargain - with the result of death for the father, rehabilitation for the son. There is a good supporting cast led by Barbara Barry as the wealthy, not too bright and bewildered wife of Asner. Direction is by Stuart Miller, director of such movies as When the Legends Die and Rooster Cogburn.
1. An effective telemovie? Social issues? Treatment of themes? Audiences identifying with characters and themes? The moralising?
2. A piece of Americana, for American audiences, beyond America? Affluent way of life, the hospital, homes? Musical score?
3. The ordinary family, the wealthy family? Questions of addiction, alcohol, drugs? The refusal to acknowledge the problem? The effect on careers? Dangers for others? Repercussions on family? Death?
4. David and Kristi and the farewell party, travelling together, Kristi's apprehensions, David's fears? The arrival, the strained relationship with the parents? The piano going into the coach house? Matt and Frances and their love for their son, David meeting all the people in the hospital, beginning his work? Kristi at home tense?
5. David, the taking of the drugs, his rationale, hiding them everywhere, prescriptions? His reaction to his father's drinking, helping him to bed? The confrontation in the office, Matt knocking over the cyclist, yet performing the operation well? The confrontation on the boat, the pact, the fight between them, the love? One helping the other? The challenge that Matt made to David? His seeing the drink before the operation? His reaction to his father's death, blaming himself for killing his father? His refusing to acknowledge the reality of his addiction? The confrontation with Roger? The attempt to dry out, going to the hospital to steal the morphine, Kristi following him? His handing his licence in to Roger? The possibility of being his own self, ridding himself of the drugs, of a family life and a career?
6. Matt and his gung-ho attitudes, his achievement in the hospital, the history of drinking, his love for David, his wariness of Kristi, his reliance on Frances? Welcoming his son, introducing him around at the hospital, his drinking at home, having to be put to bed, Kristi seeing him knock down the cyclist, his going to the operation? His drink before operations? His confrontation with David on the boat, knowing all about his drug addiction? His decision to stop drinking, around the house, the effect on Frances, his becoming gloomy? His being unable to operate on his friend because of his shaking hand? His going on the binge and arranging his death?
7. Frances, her love for her husband, saying she was not bright, her reactions to Kristi's directness? Her final exasperation? The death of her husband?
8. Kristi and her strength, deciding to stay, confronting David with the truth, going with him on the attempt to dry out? A future?
9. Herb and Matt's friends, their all knowing the problem yet cheerfully ignoring it? Trying to help? The prescriptions for David?
10. Roger and his stern attitude, his admiration for the men, his concern about drugs, discussion with David about his licence, the finale and his taking David's licence and helping him?
11. The nurse, her friendship, telling Kristi the truth?
12. Themes of addiction, heredity, opportunity, rationalisation, refusal to admit the truth, the need for decisiveness, intervention by family, dangers for others, especially in careers? How persuasive was the film?
