Aloha Bobby and Rose

I caught the last 10-15 minutes of this movie on its network premiere back in 77--- its haunted me all this time, now the DVD is out and I enjoyed it on a number of different levels--This is one of those heart- string pullers that does a great job of encapsulating the mid-70s LA car-youth culture and all those now scarce, classic neon signs! The plot and character development are transparent which gives the whole thing a strange, ethereal vibe heightened by the then hip rock and roll soundtrack. Its almost one long Elton John video in a way. Bobby and Rose are sensitively played, and if the acting and dialog aren't always the best well so what, the actors have heart and are good to look at and don't disturb the zen experience a movie like this can bring about. Mid 70s LA is ancient history and "Aloha, Bobby and Rose" serves as a surprisingly good time capsule for that era. The couple are doomed from the start and this film is depressing for the most part. A lot like "Midnight Cowboy" in many respects, tho not as good. Still AB@R is a cult classic and I think a lot of young folks would enjoy it.

The music to this movie is fantastic! Elton John, Marvin Gaye, and others. I LOVED this movie when I was about 12, and it haunted me for 25+ years until I saw it again. Yes, seeing it now, I wonder why it was such a great movie to me, but it was! Paul Le Mat was gorgeous, and the chemistry between Rose and him was good. I just wish he could have turned himself in and explained so the movie could have a better ending!

I am surprised by two things - the number of other people who actually remember this film, and the number of people who remember it so fondly. As a matter of fact, my husband and I - who grew up on opposite sides of the country - both saw it when it came out in 1975, could never find anyone else besides each other (and our respective dates at the time) who saw it or even ever heard of it, and both remembered it somewhat fondly. I think because it never caught on and is therefore encased forever within the year of its release it serves as a reminder of our youth. Thus, if you are younger than about 50, I actually would not recommend this movie.

This movie truly has a great soundtrack and a great use of music in the action itself. For example "Locomotion" by Little Eva plays during a horrific slow-motion car accident scene. Someone else has already mentioned "Benny and the Jets". The other thing I notice about this film, separate from my own personal nostalgia, is that it takes chances that none of the homogenized formula-driven movie studios would ever take in today's film industry. It sets out to be a cross between "Billy Jack" and "American Graffiti", and hits the mark on some points (the visual feel of the film, the soundtrack), and misses the mark on others (little characterization or depth in plot). My six star rating is therefore somewhat misleading. If you were a teenager or in your early twenties in 1975, you'll probably see this film as eight stars for all the reasons I've given. If you are much younger or much older than that, you probably won't get it at all and for you it would be a four-star film. Thus, I split the difference at six stars.

Highly watchable mid 70s car culture film. I first saw it on release when Paul Le Mat was familiar to younger audiences from his role as fading hot rodder John Milner in George Lucas "American Graffiti".

Not an existential roadie like Monte Hellman's "Two Lane Blacktop". Aloha is a conventionally plotted 'kids on the run' affair. However, the cinematography is excellent with vibrant pop cultural references such as Hollywood billboard signage featuring Ringo Starr and Elton John tours and albums of the time. There is also a poignant quality to several scenes including Roses mothers Tequila sodden reminiscing, and, a road bound Lincoln Continental driving childless couple who offer support to the young outlaws.

Gritty details of the unromantic side of Californian life for working people ad unexpected depth to a teen genre picture.

O.k., it may not be a Oscar-winning movie, although I personally think it's better than some of the movies that have won for "Best Picture" of the year.

This movie is a lot of fun, has great music throughout, and a guy (Paul LeMatt) that I thought was very hot when the movie first came out in the '70's, and a hot car. What more could you ask for? I was 14 when this movie came out. It was my favorite movie all through high school. And even today I enjoy sharing it with my 14 year old daughter and her friends.

Not a snooze fest like that other dude said.