Dubious Player or Deliberate Foil? Quiz

Answer: The Douglas family

Kirk Douglas plays Mitchell Blomberg and his wife Evelyn, played by Diana Douglas has diabetes. She is on dialysis as a result of the disease process. Four members of the Douglas family feature in this dynastic peek at family members, each struggling with their own identity and their role in the family. Michael Douglas plays Alex, who is very keen not to end up resembling his father, Mitchell.

His son Cameron Douglas plays third generation Asher who is busy finding himself at college. His wife's diabetes points to Mitchell's own mortality as he seeks to reconcile with his son and grandson.

Answer: Michael Corleone

This movie shows us an ageing Michael - played by Al Pacino - trying to step back from his previous gangster existence and illegal dealings, and legitimise his businesses. He also seeks to involve himself in a Vatican investment to enhance his standing in the community.

While dealing with the residual violent elements from his past, and trying to secure his and his family's future, Michael is seen struggling with the side effects of diabetes. While the disease is a bit player in this movie, the insulin shots, dizzy spells, failing eyesight and hospitalisation serve to sharpen the urgency of Michael's actions. The final poignant scene features a dying Michael dropping an orange - a rapid source of sugar for hypoglycemia - as he falls from his chair.

Answer: Warlock

In this 1989 movie, the warlock, under sentence of death, escapes and is propelled into the future where he has a mission to essentially un-create the world. Our heroine Kassandra - played by Lori Singer - finally foils the dastardly plot and carries out the death sentence.

She uses one of her diabetic syringes to inject the villain with salt water. While relying heavily on suspension of disbelief, the plot is a little kinder to diabetes in this climax, essentially featuring it as helping to save the day.

Answer: The bank manager

At night, when the hostage situation becomes more untenable, the police gain the upper hand and Al Pacino's character Sonny finds himself with not as much room to negotiate. The bank manager Mulvaney then goes into diabetic shock and this plot device enables the police to send in a doctor to treat him.

The focus of negotiations is able to shift during this time, with Sonny's partner Leon being convinced to talk to his lover by phone. As a side story, the bank manager refuses to use his diabetes as an excuse to be released, insisting instead in staying with his staff.

Answer: His father

As Michael experiences the future, courtesy of his amazing remote, he jumps forward to find that his father - Henry Winkler's character Ted Newman - has died. Ted suffered from diabetes and all Michael can remember is the last time they were together and he was hurtful to his dad.

When Michael is finally given a second chance at his life, he immediately drives to see his parents and make a fresh start with their relationship.

Answer: Brokedown Palace

The girls, Alice, played by Claire Danes and Kate Beckinsale's character Darlene, find themselves in receipt of lengthy jail terms after being duped by Nick Parks into smuggling heroin. Darlene's father does have the money to attempt to secure his daughter's freedom, although he fails. Alice's father Bill Marano, played by John Doe, is not financially secure, and when his daughter calls him, he reveals he can't even visit her because of his illness.

His diabetes is used to effect to highlight the hopeless plight of his daughter.

Answer: True

As the intruders continue to try to gain access to the room Meg and Sarah are hiding in, Sarah's condition deteriorates and she becomes hypoglycemic. Her diabetes is now the main plot focus as her mother realises her glucagon injections are in the refrigerator.

In a plot of twists and turns, Sarah is ultimately trapped as a hostage in the panic room with two of the intruders. Her mother is able to throw the glucagon syringe in before the door slams and eventually one of the intruders administers the injection to the critical child.

Answer: Baby-O

Mike Baby-O O'Dell and Poe become friends in prison. He is non-violent and offers Poe loyal and unconditional friendship. Baby-O's health is seriously compromised when his insulin shots are destroyed during the chaotic series of events on board the aircraft. The sub-plot involving the diabetes leaves viewers in no doubt that Cameron Poe is really the good guy, despite his time in prison.

Answer: She dies.

Judy Dench plays this wilful, feisty lady who has long been estranged from her grandson and his mother. She is unconventional and flaunts her non-conformity in the face of the narrow-minded townspeople. Flying in the face of prudent behaviour, she neglects her diabetes as well.

She convinces Vianne - played by Juliette Binoche - to throw her a 70th birthday party which is a huge success. She dies early the next morning after "going down singing". The plot device of using the neglect of her health to highlight the extent of her non-conformist behaviour is used effectively.

Answer: At Truvy's Beauty Parlor

The parlor is the focus of the main characters' lives, as this is where they meet to chat and perform character assassinations on the townspeople, and occasionally each other. Shelby - played by Julia Roberts - is quickly attended to by her mother M'Lynn as she gives her juice to drink.

The other women in the parlor are clearly disturbed by this turn of events and question Shelby's mother. M'Lynn - played by Sally Field - is very concerned for her daughter's health. She is worried about the strain her marriage will place on her wellbeing, and is terrified her health will be severely compromised if Shelby falls pregnant - which she does. Through the changes of the seasons, Shelby continues to defy the odds - until her luck runs out and she dies with her mother by her side. M'Lynn is determined to be there when she leaves this world - as she was when Shelby entered it. Shelby's illness is the focus of this film.

The limitations and consequences of diabetes are explored with many tears as well as with much warmth and laughter.