Fourteen years after the novel's initial publication, Keith Gordon, then best known as an actor in films such as All That Jazz (1979), Dressed to Kill (1980) and Christine (1983), marked his directorial debut with The Chocolate War (1988), also writing the adapted screenplay for Robert Cormier's controversial novel. While Gordon's screenplay deviates some from Cormier's original story, the film is a nice compliment to the novel, and at times, even improving upon it.
Ilan Mitchell-Smith is Jerry Renault, a depressed freshman at St. Trinity, an all-boys Catholic high school run by the strict Brother Leon (played by John Glover). Adding to the frustrating and complicating nature of starting high school and the pains of adolescence, Jerry is also mourning the death of his mother. Like most freshman, Jerry quickly learns of the school's crushing and unfair hierarchy, perpetuated by The Vigils--a student-led secret society that often engages in pranks and utilizes hazing to induct new members. As part of his initiation, Jerry is tasked with refusing to participate in the school's annual chocolate sale, which does not please Brother Leon, who has ascended the ranks as the school's acting headmaster. Brother Leon is cruel and power-hungry, and eagerly manipulates those around him--including the leaders of The Vigils, to get what he wants: a permanent position as the headmaster of St. Trinity. The young freshman Jerry despises the hierarchy at the school, both within the student body and the administration, and without reason or explanation, refuses to conform to the rules imposed by either Brother Leon or his peers in The Vigils.
One of the most significant aspects of The Chocolate War is its impressive soundtrack. Working with an extremely limited music budget, the filmmakers were able to secure permission from several notable musical acts to use their songs in the film including, "We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37)" and "I Have the Touch" by Peter Gabriel; "Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)" by Kate Bush; and "Ode to Boy", "Only You" and "In My Room" by Yazoo (credited as Yaz in the United States due to copyright issues). In exchange for the use of two of his songs, and in light of the difficult subject matter of the film, musician and activist Peter Gabriel requested that his affiliation and support of the human rights organization Amnesty International be included in the film's post-credits.
Following his directorial debut, Keith Gordon has continued his career in acting as well as behind the camera working predominately in television, most notably on prestigious series such as The Killing, Dexter, The Leftovers, Fargo and Homeland.
Despite receiving mostly favorable reviews by critics, The Chocolate War was unable to win over audiences and the film was a flop at the box office, bringing in barely half of the film's extremely small budget. However, the film has its fans and is often listed as a quintessential young adult film, alongside other coming-of-age dramas such as Summer of '42 (1971), Dead Poets Society (1989) and School Ties (1992).
Director: Keith Gordon
Producers: Johnathan D. Krane and Saul Zaentz (uncredited)
Screenplay: Keith Gordon
Cinematography: Tom Richmond
Editing: Jeff Wishengrad
Cast: John Glover (Brother Leon), Ilan Mitchell-Smith (Jerry Renault), Doug Hutchison (Obie Jameson), Wallace Langham (Archie Costello), Corey Gunnestad (Roland "Goober" Goubert), Brent Fraser (Emile Janza) and Bud Cort (Brother Jacques). C-100m
Resources:
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-11-23-ca-242-story.html
By Jill Blake
