FRAMED BY W. DART

Rip It Up, Issue 26, 1 September 1979, Page 18

FRAM E D BY W . DART

THE CHINA SYNDROME Director James Bridges A character in the film explains the title: ‘‘lf the nuclear reactor vessel the core is exposed ... the fuel heats beyond tolerance in a matter of minutes, nothing can stop it, and it melts through the bottom of the plant, theoretically to China. But of course, when it hits ground water, it would blast into the atmosphere and send out clouds of radioactivity. The number of people killed would depend on which way the wind is blowing and it could render an area the size of Pennsylvania permanently uninhabitable not to mention the cancer that would show up later.” China Syndrome is an extraordinarily effective movie painting the horrors which nuclear power possibly has in store for us. A TV reporter and cameraman (Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas) accidentally uncover a ‘hushed-up’ accident at a Southern Californian nuclear power plant but the TV station refuses to air their controversial material. The one character who realises the enormity of the incident (Jack Lemmon) eventually tries to help them but the trio find themselves fighting a little more than they counted on. This almost classic tale of corruption in high places has obvious origins in the Karen Silkwood case of a few years ago, where a conscientious lab technician at an Oklahoma Plutonium plant had a rather nasty (and fatal) car accident on her way to deliver information to the New York Times.

This film works so magnificently because it remains a no-nonsense workman-like production. Working from an extremely tightly knit script, nothing is allowed to interfere with the suspense generated by the ‘nuclear event’ and its subsequent effects on the characters. There is a good deal of satire around the edges of the film whether it be in the unredeeming vacuousness of the television'world or in Fonda's trendy pad, pet turtle and all. However all this does not stop it from being a first-rate suspense thriller with socio-political overtones. As far as acting performances go, Jack Lemmon is superb as the pivotal character of the film and Fonda and Douglas are fine as agents provocateurs.

This is James Bridges’ second film after The Paper Chase of a few years ago. Let’s hope China Syndrome doesn’t also suffer a similar fate of being stretched out into a interminable tele-series. OUTRAGEOUS

Director Richard Benner A Canadian film with its heart in the right place, telling the tale of an erstwhile hair-

dresser winning fame and acclaim as a drag artist whilst his young lady soulmate sinks into schizophrenic depression. Some snappy drag acts from the direness of a tacky Canadian club to Craig Russell’s smooth impersonations of Peggy, Barbra, Bette, Ethel and all the rest. The lady does go on a bit though ...

BUTCH & SUNDANCE - EARLY DAYS Director Richard Lester Not only is this film far less strained in its directorial style than Lester’s late sixties efforts (A Hard Day's Night, Help, The Knack), but it is also a good deal smoother than the original George Roy Hill film of ten years ago. Lester’s vision of the West is a rather elegiac one at times, although not without its little quirks ... Can you imagine a skiing sequence, or robbing a casino whilst covered with skunk spray? Stylish fun. THE CHAMP Director Franco Zeffirelli Horrible, horrible film. Romeo and Juliet may have been dripping with the sentimental excesses of the late sixties, but at least Zeffirelli had a basic Shakespearian concept to build his treacle tower on. A 1931 Jackie Cooper weepie is, alas, no substitute and I suspect they auditioned Ricky Schroder whilst peeling onions for a burger bar. THE WARRIORS

Director Walter Hill The gang problems of New York interpreted as a parallel to the retreat of Xenophon’s ten thousand Greeks from Mesopotamia to the Black Sea. A heavy number this one, not without its rewards if you like bare torsos framed by leather waistcoats, but to be avoided if you have anything approximating to taste. Fittingly, it is being brought back as a double feature with Up in Smoke.