Low-Budget ‘Secaucus 7’: Big ReturnIn writer-director John...

Low-Budget ‘Secaucus 7’: Big Return

In writer-director John Sayles’ first feature film, “Return of the Secaucus 7,” a group of ‘60s radicals reunite for a weekend of soul-searching, laughter and nostalgia. They skinny-dip, play charades and take part in other leisure activities. But mostly they talk and grapple with issues and problems--both social and romantic--that confront your average high-minded liberal pushing 30.

Vocationally, these old college chums have taken different paths. Mike and Katie are high school teachers; Francis is in medical school; Jeff is a drug counselor; Irene is speech writer for a senator; Maura is an actress looking for a new career direction, and J.T. is a struggling country singer-guitarist.

For the Secaucus 7, life isn’t nearly as foot-loose and fancy-free as it used to be. The demands of adult life have forced them at least a little closer to the mainstream. Yet they haven’t become anesthetized. They’re all still searching--sometimes blindly--for life’s meaning. They still want to do the right thing.

Sayles--who went on to direct such notable films as “Eight Men Out” and “Matewan”--made “Secaucus 7” with a cast of unknowns for a paltry $60,000. As a result, it isn’t nearly as polished looking as, say, “The Big Chill,” the similarly themed but vastly inferior 1983 film by Lawrence Kasdan.

In some ways “Secaucus 7” has the look of a home movie. But Sayles has never been a great visual director anyway. His strength lies in the spoken word and character development. It is his rich and intelligent dialogue that propels “Secaucus 7” forward in a brisk and involving manner.

There’s also an incisive wit to Sayles’ writing that’s perfectly suited to these mostly over-educated and underpaid Easterners. In one scene, Katie worries out loud whether her relationship with Mike can last when so many of their friends are breaking up with their partners. When Mike mentions acquaintances, “the Whites,” as an example of an enduring relationship, Katie replies with typical sarcasm, “The Whites are born again. They don’t count.”

“Return of the Secaucus 7” is an independent film with a very specific audience appeal. You almost have to be predisposed to liking these types of characters in order to enjoy the film. But for those with just such a nonconformist political or philosophical orientation, “Secaucus 7” should prove a work of great depth and magic.

“Return of the Secaucus 7” (1980), written and directed by John Sayles. 100 minutes. Rated R.