John Badham on WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY?

Summary

In this video, John Batam discusses the unique challenge faced by playwright Brian Clark in adapting his play, *Whose Life Is It Anyway?*, into a film. The story revolves around a man, played by Richard Dreyfuss, who becomes a quadriplegic and wishes to end his life on his own terms. The narrative explores profound themes of autonomy, the right to self-determination, and the struggles between the individual, state, and family. Batam highlights the emotional depth of the film, which resonates deeply with audiences, despite its potentially grim premise, leading to unexpected emotional reactions from viewers.

Takeaways

• 😀 The film adaptation explores the challenging topic of a man who wants to be allowed to die and the comedic approach to this serious subject.
• 😀 Brian Clark, the playwright, faced the challenge of adapting the play into a movie while keeping the same emotional and philosophical impact.
• 😀 Richard Dreyfuss was cast for his humor, wit, and intelligence to portray the main character who becomes a quadriplegic after a car accident.
• 😀 The main character in the movie is left unable to move from the neck down, feeling useless and desiring to die, but is denied this by the legal system.
• 😀 The movie raises the question of who controls one's life and death — the state, the hospital, family, or the individual.
• 😀 The film highlights the ongoing debate around personal autonomy and self-determination in life-ending decisions, referencing real-life cases like Terry Schiavo.
• 😀 Unlike a disease-of-the-week drama, the movie focuses on philosophical and ethical dilemmas surrounding personal choice and the right to self-destruction.
• 😀 The protagonist is fully aware and rational despite being physically incapacitated, raising the question of whether a person in this condition should have the right to choose their fate.
• 😀 The film is regarded as a unique exploration of the right to die, framed as a potentially happy ending despite its heavy subject matter.
• 😀 The film's emotional impact was significant, with audiences, including men, moved to tears, but convincing people to watch it was a challenge due to the depressing theme.

Q & A

What is the central challenge presented in the script?

The central challenge in the script is how to make a movie about a man who wants to die but is not allowed to, and to do it in a comedic way.

Who is Brian Clark and what role did he play in the movie adaptation?

Brian Clark is the playwright who originally wrote the play that the movie is based on. He faced the challenge of adapting the concept into a film.

What is the main conflict in the movie?

The main conflict in the movie is about a man, left quadriplegic after an accident, who wants to die but is prevented from doing so due to legal restrictions and lack of family support.

Why was Richard Dreyfuss cast in the movie?

Richard Dreyfuss was cast because of his great sense of humor, wit, and intelligence, which were essential to portraying the character’s complex situation.

What is the protagonist's condition in the film?

The protagonist, played by Richard Dreyfuss, is left quadriplegic after a terrible automobile accident and is unable to move any part of his body from the neck down.

What philosophical question does the movie explore?

The movie explores the question of who should have control over a person’s life, specifically whether it should be the state, the hospital, family, or the individual themselves.

What real-life event does the film's central question echo?

The film’s central question echoes the real-life case of Terry Schiavo, whose right to die was a highly contested legal and moral issue in the courts and among the public.

What makes the film's take on euthanasia different from other portrayals?

The film portrays euthanasia in a way that is not tragic or grim but instead presents it as a possible happy ending, which is uncommon in portrayals of assisted death.

What was the audience reaction to the film?

The film was a big success with audiences, who were particularly moved by it. Many were left in tears after watching it, despite initial hesitations about its depressing theme.

What was one of the major challenges in promoting the film?

A major challenge in promoting the film was convincing people to watch it, as many were initially put off by the assumption that it would be too depressing.