Return of the Secaucus 7

Infobox_Film
name = Return of the Secaucus 7


caption = Theatrical poster
director = John Sayles
producer = Jeffrey Nelson
William Aydelott
writer = John Sayles
starring = Bruce MacDonald
Maggie Renzi
David Strathairn
Adam LeFevre
Maggie Cousineau
music = Mason Daring
cinematography = Austin De Besche
editing = John Sayles
distributor = Salsipuedes Productions
released = September 5 1980
runtime = 110 minutes
country = United States
language = English
amg_id = 1:65851
imdb_id = 0081420|

"Return of the Secaucus 7" (1980) is a drama film written and directed by John Sayles. It features Bruce MacDonald, Maggie Renzi, Adam LeFevre, Maggie Cousineau, Gordon Clapp, Jean Passanante, and others. [imdb title|id=0081420|title=Return of the Secaucus 7.]

The picture is thought to have inspired "The Big Chill" (1983), which is a more widely known film. However, writer/director Lawrence Kasdan has denied having seen "Return of the Secaucus 7" before working on "The Big Chill". ["Big Chill" screening, the Michigan Theatre, Ann Arbor, Michigan, April 20, 2006.]

It tells the story of seven friends who reunite for the anniversary of their arrest ten years previously, on their way to a political demonstration.

Cast

* Bruce MacDonald as Mike Donnelly
* Maggie Renzi as Katie Sipriano
* Adam LeFevre as J.T.
* Maggie Cousineau as Frances Carlson
* Gordon Clapp as Chip Hollister
* Jean Passanante as Irene Rosenblum
* Karen Trott as Maura Tolliver
* Mark Arnott as Jeff Andrews
* David Strathairn as Ron Desjardins
* John Sayles as Howie
* Marisa Smith as Carol
* Amy Schewel as Lacey Summers
* Carolyn Brooks as Meg
* Eric Forsythe as Captain
* Nancy Mette as Lee

Critical reception

Film critic Emanuel Levy liked the film and wrote, "The movie became influential, launching a cycle of "reunion" films, which included "The Big Chill" and the TV series "Thirtysomething". As a portrait of disenchantment, Return was more authentic and honest than Lawrence Kasdan's star-studded Big Chill...A rueful movie about unexceptional lives that have prematurely grown stale, "Secaucus" is a bit commonplace, lacking genuine drama. But Sayles uses effectively a discursive, episodic format; he constructs strong scenes with resonant dialogue. The characters are complex and individually distinguished by speech, gesture, and manner." [ [http://emanuellevy.com/article.php?articleID=2363 Levy, Emanuel] . "Emanuel Levy Film Reviews," 2004-2008. Last accessed: February 25 2008.]

Critic Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat wrote, "Here's a nice little movie about the baby boom generation...Novelist John Sayles wrote, directed, and edited this movie. It is a labor of love. We watch these laidback individuals share their stories and reminisce about the past...But these baby boomers can't handle tension; the rift between Jeff and Maura sends tremors through the weekend. And although they put up a front of having a good time, one senses that things haven't turned out well for them — either in terms of meaningful relationships or in terms of personal fulfillment. "Return of the Secaucus Seven" leaves one with a rueful feeling about this generation." [ [http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/films.php?id=7652 Brussat, Frederic and Mary Ann] . "Spirituality & Practice," film review, 1970 – 2007. Last accessed: February 25, 2008.]

The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 100% of critics gave the film a positive review, based on 11 reviews, marking the film as "Fresh." [ [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/return_of_the_secaucus_seven/ "Return of the Secaucus 7"] at Rotten Tomatoes. Last accessed: February 25, 2008.]

Awards

Wins
* Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: LAFCA Award; Best Screenplay, John Sayles; 1980.
* Boston Society of Film Critics Awards: BSFC Award; Best Independent Film; 1981.

Nominations
* Writers Guild of America, East: WGA Award (Screen); Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen, John Sayles; 1981.

Other distinctions
* In 1997, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

References

Notes

External links

*
*
* [http://www.johnsaylesretro.com/body-matewan-synopsis.html "Return of the Secaucus 7"] at John Sayles web site
* [http://www.altfg.com/blog/archives/2007/03/13/the-return-of-the-secaucus-7-1980-by-john-sayles/ "Return of the Secaucus 7"] Alternative Film Guide review of DVD