For Keeps?

For Keeps (1988) Molly Ringwald, Randall Batinkoff, Kenneth Mars, Miriam Flynn, Conchata Ferrell, Sharon Brown, Renee Estevez, John Zarchen, Michelle Downy, Pauly Shore, D: John G. Avildsen.

Long-term high school couple marries thinking they can handle a life together after diligent Ringwald gets pregnant.

Truthful teen trials like sex, marriage, parenthood, and family acceptance are underscored, but the repercussions of the story are obvious and insincere. Good intentions though.

Running Time: 98 minutes and rated PG-13 for some language and sexual situations.

RATING: ** (out of ****)

Truly one of the best underrated films of the 80s. Molly Ringwald stars in the lead as an honor student who gets pregnant and decides to keep the baby with her boyfriend despite their disapproving parents. The material has been covered before but because of the strong performances all around and the engaging screenplay it's elevated. It's fun and tear jerking and just feels so genuine.

If you are looking at this comment then I am sure you know what the movie is about. So I won't bore you with a long description of the movie...I will just tell you why I loved it so much. First of all you have Randall Batinkoff starring as Stan...and he is a hottie. Secondly you have a really great love story going on in the middle of what could be a big disaster. This movie will make you laugh and make you cry! I highly recommend you see this movie...You won't be sorry.

This movie is for keeps! Not only is it insightful and informative about abortion and STDs, but it reminded me of how many movies from the 1980's suffered from Molly Ringwald's absence. Case in point: St. Elmo's Fire. Another example: Little Darlings. She might not have added that mystical Jean Seberg / Bea Arthur element, but she's a fresh reminder that Hollywood's sometimes takes a chance on otherwise ordinary people that have a spark in their soul. Bravo, Molly!

I was expecting an 80s-type young couple comedy. Boy was I wrong. This is some serious stuff, like what happens after you get married to someone you think you're in love with. You don't really know what love is if you haven't known pain.

Ringwald gives a great performance, especially as she's going through post-partum depression. I didn't particularly like the camera work or the laconic script, but I did appreciate the work that went into the direction and the production. I thought the pacing was fantastic - it's not what you would expect and I was pleasantly surprised.