First Love

1977's "First Love" was a frank update of the kind of women's picture that began decades before (Harold Brodsky's original story was actually written in the 50s), but ultimately unsatisfying. William Katt follows his breakout hit "Carrie" by playing virginal college youth Elgin Smith, who instantly, and perhaps foolishly, falls in love at first sight with elegant upper class co-ed Caroline Hedges (Susan Dey), despite the presence of the older gentleman she's with (Robert Loggia), who turns out to be the lawyer business partner of her late father, a tragic suicide. A chance encounter the next day finds Elgin making an impression in clumsy fashion, and soon enough the pair are seeing each other regularly, until Loggia's reappearance with his wife (Virginia Leith) drives a tearful Caroline into Elgin's bed, for better or worse. One could describe the story as bittersweet, but surely that must be the fate of many such relationships, yet there is an underlying falseness driving Susan Dey's character that keeps us from liking her. This was Dey's starring feature debut, though a constant TV presence since THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY, achieving dramatic praise as an abusive mother later that same year in "Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night." In only her second feature film, sexy Beverly D'Angelo truly shines in the better role, as fun loving Shelley, girlfriend of Elgin's humorous neighbor David (John Heard), who's also going out with a deadly serious girl (June Barrett) who nearly catches him in bed with Shelley. Beverly (and Susan too) gets naked in Elgin's bed on her third attempt to score with him, but he subconsciously blurts out Caroline's name, spoiling the mood. Shelley confesses that she believes that she's in love with unserious David, so it's a genuine surprise when the two actually get together to make a go of marriage. It's almost too bad that their story is secondary, but William Katt shows that he could carry a film, especially one lacking a strong trustful ending. A rare appearance for Cleveland-born Virginia Leith, the same actress who achieved cult status in her previous movie "The Brain That Wouldn't Die," but would retire for good by 1980.

This time the guy is looking for perfect love. The guy is the romantic. The guy is the partner easily hurt. Based on a short story "Sentimental Education," "First Love" is seen through the tender eyes of a sensitive man. William Katt is that dewy-eyed guy who spots his first love (Susan Dey) in the college cafeteria. She gives him an initial rejection, acts busy, knowing all the while she would be thrilled to date him. Her sad family history and her pointless side affair will strain their romance. The couple's liaison is richly, humorously written. For such a commercial venture, "First Love" has an soul-stirring density not always present in maudlin love stories.

It was quite a (welcome) surprise to find a love story that's focused on the guy, where the story's centered on him and his feelings, rather than the girl. (In this case, the girl's Susan Dey, who shows she has acting ability beyond her Laurie Partridge days. She's very good in dramatic roles.)

It's also a switch to find a college guy who's more concerned with love and a real relationship, rather than just being horny and getting sex whenever he can. He's tired of the playing around scene, he wants something meaningful, and thinks he's found it, until he discovers he has competition. How's an average college guy from a middle-class background supposed to compete with a wealthy, sophisticated older man, who's been part of her life a long time, despite being married?

Watch and find out!

William Katt is very cute as a sweet and naive college student learning about love and sex for the first time. The director does a good job conveying this simplicity as the overall motif for the film. A very appropriate Cat Stevens soundtrack also contributes to the proceedings. Susan Dey is quite good as Katt's older-woman love interest. Then, just when the film has us in its grip, it lets us go in an ending of meaningless platitudes. I still liked it overall, but felt a bit let down with the unimaginitve ending.

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.