, the final screenplay in Tennessee Williams' eponymous compilation, is bitter and brutal--at least I thought so. Williams, in his preface (which I don't advise reading until after after you finish the screenplay, because it contains a major spoiler), seems to differ, at least to an extent.The play centers around Janet, who has spent five years in a sanitarium; her husband, Olaf Svenson (also known as "Stone Man"); and his common-law wife, the manipulative, lubricious (Williams' word, and what a spectacularly incisive one it is) Alicia Trout. Janet lives for Olaf's visits, while Alicia nags him to divorce Janet--whom she accuses of "moral blackmail"--and marry her.
Janet is incarcerated in a Catholic institution. The attitudes of the two nuns who attend her, Sister Grace and Sister Grim, provide a strong counterpoint: Sister Grim acts out of grudging duty, while Sister Grace has a true calling to work with the residents, toward whom she shows genuine love and gentleness. Williams also paints a contrast between the kindly Father O'Donnell, the recently deceased chief of staff, and his successor, cynical psychiatrist Dr. Cash.
Like The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond and One Arm, Stopped Rocking has the potential to be a poignant, powerful screenplay, with the right direction.
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