BUSTED

1982

Reviewed by Rebecca, 12 November, 1999.

Overall rating: 3 hands
Rickmaniac rating: 4 hands

Stephen Davis's 1982 television play Busted (claimed by biographer Maureen Paton to have been especially written for Alan Rickman) is a contribution to the "Big Chill" genre of the early 1980s: student activists transitioning, sometimes uncomfortably, into yuppies.

Simon Jacks (Rickman) seems to be on his way up. A bland young barrister (trial lawyer) specializing in tax law, he boasts a modest bachelor pad, a sports car, two girlfriends (Roxy for living-in, Sara for lunchtime quickies), an admiring secretary (played by Deborah Findlay,later of TMD), and an encouraging if insufferably pompous boss. But in the space of a few days - neatly compressed by Davis into an hour drama - Simon'slife takes a very different turn.

Late one night Simon receives a telephone call from Paul Macy, an old Oxford friend and fellow activist in the student Socialist Society. He's landed in jail - again. Simon (himself once arrested with Macy during a demonstration and drug bust) hasn't seen Macy in years, but goes, (mis-)representing himself to police authorities as Macy's defense counsel. Simon learns Macy has been arrested not for some new protest, but for robbing a liquor store with a toy gun. Macy wants two things from Simon: to get word to his girlfriend Gemma (living in a squat in a bad neighborhood), and to rouse the radical community to take up his cause as an alleged victim of "the system." After debate and protest, Simon agrees. But in carrying out these commissions, he learns that Macy's former colleagues can no longer be found, or will have nothing more to do with him. Girlfriend Gemma further confirms Macy's lack of interest in any cause but himself. Meanwhile, Simon has his own problems. His boss is not pleased that his tax-law protégé has been representing himself as a solicitor in criminal law. And Roxy moves out, aided by . . . Sara (who herself has a new man and some choice words for Simon). Beset from all sides, Simon settles on, and carries out, a course of action. He engineers a clothes-swap in Macy's cell and sends his friend out to freedom disguised as a barrister. Simon is left settling back blissfully in his cell, apparently delighted at shaking off his Establishment shackles.

Although slightly dated, Busted retains interest for the deft way Davis has his rather shallow central character make up his mind quickly to act, and for the ironic nature of the act taken. A sub-theme of "look what you get when you're too obliging" will be echoed later by Colin Molyneux of Benefactors the shadow side of generosity. Finally, Busted's art direction - its use of penal bars and grids in lighting, décor and costume - contributes unity to the story.

Rickmanistas will appreciate, in addition to implicit puns about briefless barristers, Simon in court attire (minus wig); Simon cuddling with Roxy (Sara Sugarman, who later appeared as the Player Queen in the 1992 Riverside Hamlet); and Simon growling, in response to rude restaurant service, "Isn't this an odious place?" It's also amusing to see AR playing younger than his chronological age (Simon must be 29-31; AR was 36); and, yet again, playing a smoker who doesn't actually puff.

As one of the earlier Rickman performances on film, Busted is good history, but for more enduring thespic interest, turn to the role which immediately preceded it: Obadiah Slope!

Fausta thanks Rebecca for her review.