joyce
Just recently watched this movie. Was excited to see it because I've always been a big fan of actors William Katt and Susan Dey, two "good kids" that I grew up with from the days of The Greatest American Hero and The Partridge Family, respectively. So imagine my surprise at the crude language and nude scenes. It was so totally unexpected, I got sick just watching it. Even the actors (especially Katt) seemed stilted in their roles. Needless to say, I was disappointed. The casting was poor, the acting left a lot to be desired and the plot was ho-hum. So if you are looking to watch a sweet romantic movie, move right along, this ain't it.
dansview
If you came of age in the 70s from a middle to upper-middle-class white family, or you just like a good dialog-based story with Cat Stevens in the background, you'll enjoy this one. Interestingly, there are no ethnic minorities portrayed in this film.William Katt personifies the 70s nice guy better than anyone else can. I actually totally believed the scenario. It was his first love, but not hers. He was a freshman, while she was possibly a senior, and she was from a rich, educated background, while his parents owned a hardware store in presumably a small town. He was in awe of her beauty, her age, her sophistication, and even her inaccessibility. You could see it all in his eyes and mannerism, thanks to Katt's earnest effort.Having another person in your life full time is complex and high maintenance, even under the best conditions. Add youth to the mix, and it's even harder. This movie does a fine job of portraying the three elements of a new relationship: Learning about and dealing with the other person's baggage, planning daily and weekend activities, and sex.The music by Cat Stevens and Paul Williams hearken you back to a time when music was sensitive and dreamy, and the words meant something.
boland1958
I give this movie such a high score only for the nostalgic feelings it evokes for me. I saw it with my "first". I felt a kinship with Billy Katt as he stumbled through the the physical aspects of making and being in love the first time. It was a total hoot to hear him ask. "Did I make you come?" after the first time. Who the @#$! asks that?? The movie is beautifully photographed. Susan Dey was a gorgeous, if slightly untalented actress. William Katt did a decent job. I forgot that John Heard was in the movie. He is brilliant as always. So, this is not so much a review as a chance for me to remember my "first", who, by the way, I did not marry! I would recommend this movie for those of us who were in college in 1977.
Fire-WalkWithMe
I guess I bought this because of William Katt, and because I liked him in other things. The plot sounded great too. Now, put William Katt (who I found beautiful in Carrie) along with the plot of him finding 'love' for the first time, it's a winner! Or not. I didn't not like the movie, I actually did like it! But some things I didn't. The music score was great! The 'theme' song by Cat Stevens, and the song by Paul Williams was great! Sometimes I found Katt annoying though, and sometimes you just don't believe his acting. (i.e. the scene on the bridge when him and Susan are fixing to break up again) Other times he's good. This is just a movie about him growing as a person, and learning. John Heard has a little role in the movie, he doesn't show off his acting skills in this though. Overall, it's a nice movie. 6.5/10.