THE GREEN
US, 2011, 91 minutes, Colour.
Jason Butler Harner, Cheyenne Jackson, Chris Bert, Illeana Douglas, Karen Young, Julia Ormond, Bill Sage, Mark Blum
Directed by Steven Williford.
The Green is a strong drama about homophobia, issues of sexual abuse, legal issues, emotional issues, and public rush to judgement of guilty until proven innocent.
The central character is a teacher of long standing, retired from New York to Connecticut for a quiet life with his partner who runs a local restaurant. The teacher is sympathetic, intervenes when a student is bullied by other students, puts a hand of assurance on him and is then accused of harassment, the student upset, running away, the teacher then caught up in the case, complicated by his not revealing a story of a past relationship to his present partner.
Ileana Douglas portrays a sympathetic teacher struggling with health issues. Julia Ormond is the teacher’s lawyer, with tough moves for the procedure.
With revelations about sexual abuse in schools over several decades, the subject is relevant, issues of sexual orientation, abuse and exploitation, as well as false accusations and loss of reputation.
- The green, the greenery outside New York, a haven for peace? Yet the irony that it did not lead to peace?
- The Connecticut setting, the town, homes, home repairs, neighbours, the school, classes, corridors, theatre performances, the principal’s office? Atmosphere?
- The basic situation, Michael, teacher, aspiring novelist, stuck, moving from New York, the 15 years relationship with Dan, his work in the school, the support of the principal, the other teachers, Trish and Brenda? His years as a teacher? His concern about Jason, preoccupied, intervening, Jason and his surly reactions?
- Jason, bullied at school, the gay slur, his talent, the withdrawal of the scholarship, the principal, his moodiness at school, the bullying from the other boys, his mother and her alcoholism, reformed, Leo, as a father figure?
- Dan, sympathetic partner, life together with Michael, the many years, his managing the eatery, the customers, his waiter and forthrightness?
- The critical situation, Jason being bullied, the public event, Michael intervening, the physical touch, the reaction, his mother and her concern and doubts, Leo aggressive?
- The discussions with the principal, the police, the arrest? Ransacking the house, taking computers, the protest? Karen later returning his files?
- Michael, his reactions, hurt, angry, his outbursts, the discussions with Trish, the details of sequences of their friendship, her being a confidante, her own cancer issues, her husband and his being a lawyer, the relationship with the principal and his wife and her social standing? The clashes with Trish, her exasperation, his insensitivity?
- The story of the past, the sting, Michael’s later description to Karen, emotional memories, the arrest, the plea, social work? The fact that he had not told Dan who was in Paris? The tense consequence, Dan being hurt, moments of doubt, the clash, moving out?
- The police, interrogations of Trish and Brenda, the scenes in the common room, their friendship, the effect of the questions?
- The lawyer, out of his competence, the contact with Karen, her relationship with her partner, the children, the sympathetic listener, shrewd, supportive? The various strategies, her suggestions? The revelation of the secret of the past?
- Michael, depressed, people gossiping, the woman at the neighbouring window (and the touch of humour and lightness with the truth about her character and her sick husband)? The builder, his sympathy, his wife not wanting the company to be associated with Michael? The storm, the rain, Michael fear of heights, climbing, the covering, falling?
- Jason, his disappearance, working in the theatre, approaching Michael’s house, running away, the pursuit, at his home?
- The buildup to the confrontation of the truth, his mother and concern, Leo, the revelation about his molesting Jason and the effect on his being late for school, not doing well in studies?
- The gossips in the town, the waiter and his speaking out?
- Assumptions and, prejudice, homophobia?
- The theme of adult sexual abuse of and grooming of the young? The theme of innocence of the teacher and the consequences of accusations?