Scorecard for this and other 30-something get togethers
RETURN OF THE SECAUCUS SEVEN (1980)
Plot Outline: Seven old college friends reunite for a weekend at a quaint summer house in New Hampshire.
The Friends: Jeff (Mark Arnott), Francis (Maggie Cousineau), J.T. (Adam Lefevre), Mike (Bruce MacDonald), Irene (Jean Passanante), Katie (Maggie Renzi), Maura (Karen Trott)
Requisite Outsiders: Three; Chip (Gordon Clapp), Irene’s preppy boyfriend; Ron (David Strathairn) a local mechanic; and Howie (John Sayles) an old family friend.
Favorite line: “What’s a reunion without a little drama?”
Relevant Deaths: One deer (‘Bambicide’)
Dinner Conversation: Political and professional idealism
Substance Abuse: Marijuana and alcohol
Overt Failed seductions by women with ticking biological clocks: None, perhaps because of the characters attitudes toward children.
Diseases Mentioned: A passing reference to Legionnaires’ Disease.
Finest Musical Moments: A bar side discussion of progressive rock, and J.T. on his acoustic guitar.
Sports of Choice: Volleyball, basketball (men only), sunbathing, skinny dipping (men only).
THE BIG CHILL (1983)
Plot Outline: Seven old college friends reunite for a weekend getaway at a beautiful rambling winter house in South Carolina.
The Friends: Harold (Kevin Kline), Sarah (Glenn Close), Sam (Tom Berenger), Michael (Jeff Goldblum), Nick (William Hurt), Meg (Mary Kay Place), Karen (JoBeth Williams)
Requisite Outsiders: Two; Richard (Don Galloway), Karen‘s husband; and Chloe (Meg Tilly), the young girlfriend of Alex who just committed suicide.
Favorite line: “How much sex, fun, friendship can one man take?”
Relevant Deaths: Alex (suicide)
Dinner Conversation: Political idealism and career disillusionment
Substance Abuse: Marijuana, cocaine, Quaaludes, and a variety of painkiller capsules.
Overt Failed seductions by women with ticking biological clocks: Two; Meg’s play for Sam and Nick, where Nick responds: “Did I ever tell you what happened to me in Vietnam?”
Diseases Mentioned: Herpes
Finest Musical Moments: Karen playing the Rolling Stones “You Can‘t Always Get What You Want“ on the church organ at Alex‘s funeral, and Harold and Sarah‘s infant son singing “Jeremiah was a bullfrog“ from Three Dog Night‘s “Joy to the World“.
Sports of Choice: Jogging, football, and stretch-and-tone workouts.
PETER'S FRIENDS (1992)
Plot Outline: Six old college friends reunite for a New Years Eve weekend at an English country house the size of Brideshed.
The Friends: Roger, (Hugh Laurie), Mary (Imelda Staunton), Peter (Stephen Fry), Maggie (Emma Thompson), Andrew (Kenneth Branagh), Sarah (Alphonsia Emmanuel)
Requisite Outsiders: Two; Carol (Rita Rudner), Andrew’s American actress wife, and Brian (Tony Slattery), Sarah’s latest amour.
Thesis in a Line: “I didn’t say I have my life figured out. I have your life figured out.”
Relevant Deaths: Peter’s father, and Roger and Mary’s child.
Dinner Conversation: G.K. Charleston
Substance Abuse: Alcohol and food
Overt Failed seductions by women with ticking biological clocks: One; Maggie‘s play for Peter who responds: “No, no, no! By all things Godly, NO!”
Diseases Mentioned: AIDS
Finest Musical Moments: Tina Turner‘s “What‘s Love Got to Do With It?” played in the background as an accompaniment to a midnight food binge by Carol.
Sports of Choice: Thigh-master and step workouts.
INDIAN SUMMER (1993)
Plot Outline: Seven old friends reunite for a week-long getaway at their childhood summer camp in Ontario, Canada owned by Lou Handler (Alan Arkin).
The Friends: Matthew (Vincent Spano), Kelly (Julie Warner), Jennifer (Elizabeth Perkins), Brad (Kevin Pollak), Beth (Diane Lane), Jack (Bill Paxton), Jamie (Matt Craven).
Requisite Outsiders: Two; Gwen (Kimberly Williams), Jamie’s 21-year-old fiancée, and Stick (Sam Remi), the bumbling, former camp caretaker’s son.
Thesis in a Line: “Gang, it’s going to be a golden weekend. One for the record books.”
Relevant Deaths: Beth’s husband
Dinner Conversation: The munchies
Substance Abuse: Marijuana and alcohol
Overt Failed seductions by women with ticking biological clocks: None, but Gwen‘s character describes her biological clock as already ticking.
Diseases Mentioned: Many indirectly, in a discussion of safe sex. (“There’s germs out there the size of sea lions.”)
Finest Musical Moments: Tommy James and the Shoundells “Crimson and Clover“ at the climatic dance party.
Sports of Choice: Swimming, sailing, running, sunbathing, and boxing.