Jeremy

I bought this movie on DVD in order to see it after reading about it in a book titled Shyness & Love by Dr. Brian G. Gilmartin. Seventeen of the people in that study saw the film more than twenty times in the theater, one saw it eighty-six times, and another paid $1,000 (that he could scarcely afford) for a 16mm print of the film! I can't say that I've ever seen a film more than twice in a theater, and that wasn't out of any great affection for those films, just that I'd seen them, and then a group of friends or family were going to see it and I went along.

It is a nice movie. A shy high school sophomore develops a crush on a new girl at school, and with some help from a more outgoing friend and the confidence playing the cello gives him, he asks her out and they date. It's a pretty simple story, and probably pretty low budget, with lots of hand-held camera-work. It's nice, but I can't imagine watching it twenty times! Perhaps had I seen it when I was about the same age as the couple, I'd have a great affection for it.

Bored with the types of movies that are shown on any cable television in any country across the globe (even with 200 channels) – I always find it hard to make a decision on what to watch. This movie was shown on UPC Dutch TV, and reading somewhat good reviews on IMDb, I decided to watch it.

At first sight, Jeremy Jones (Robby Benson) a young boy falls in love with a newcomer girl Susan Rollins (Glynnis O-Connors) at school. After a few awkward meetings, they start liking each other, go together, and its special confused adolescent moments – make love, discuss life, know each other, enjoy each other's company – before the inevitable strikes. Susan's father (Ned Wilson) gets his transfer back and has to leave the city. With so much sadness both this young souls depart.

This is a beautiful simple FIRST LOVE story of any young souls. The moments, the stalking, the emotions, the happiness – everything is depicted in its simplest and truest form. There is not much coming in the way of their love – which is a relieving part of the story. It is straight forward. The supporting cast – especially Jeremy friend, his musical teacher and Susan father – give a very understated but human character. Their responses to this teenage love stays with you in formulating your own responses in life.

Both Robby Benson and Glynnis O-Connors give the best performances of their career that spans (for both of them) to nearly more than 55 acting projects in last 35 years. But this role will remain their most loved and well remembered. Both are so comfortable with each other – especially in those delicately filmed love making scenes – that it surely must be hard for the director and acting to film that successfully.

The Director Arthur Barron has done a very decent job in taking out performances from these young stars – who look so natural and full of honest love. He makes this movie still watchable and relevant, even after 35 years. It is fresh as a morning dew drop – and I think will remain so. This Director made only two feature films in his career, and mainly devoted his time for television.

A special mention of the theme song of this movie – Hour Glass – which is still hummable and pleasing to hear even today. It is a classic.

I would strongly recommend the movie to each and every adolescent to see and make it a part of their growing up years.

(Stars 7 out of 10)

I was a 12 years old when I saw "Jeremy" - here in Brazil, the title was "Susan and Jeremy - the first love". I remember I loved the movie, I cried a lot. Unforgettable is the soundtrack. After that age (today I'm 37), I've never seen this movie again, but - sometimes - I catch myself singing its song ('The hourglass song', I suppose). I'd like to see it again.

This is a movie we had to see with our class. Most of the times these movies were dull and boring, but then... they send us to "Jeremy". And I still am looking for a chance to see the movie again. I remember that they showed it on television in the mid 70's, before the VHS era. I recorded the soundtrack on compact cassette (inferiour quality, the recording was lost). I still remember however how the movie touched me, and I still can do the "horse-sound" by clicking with my fingers as Jeremy did. Does anybody know if this movie can be bought on DVD? I am looking for a copy since many years, but cannot find it in Europe anywhere.

I saw this movie in the early 70's, when I was 15 or 16. I was living in Peru, at the time. There was a girl my age that I liked a lot, that I took to the movie and we both identified with the main characters. I remember that you could get the theme song (record, 45 RPM) under the title "Blue Balloon Song" or something along these lines, from a local record label. The theme song was very popular and was played often by the local radio stations for several weeks. I am tempted to track her down and ask if she still has the record. This movie was recently released in DVD. I watched it again after 30+ years. This time with my wife and children. It was a big hit at home. Simple but enjoyable plot, very entertaining, pretty clean movie for today's standards. I would recommend it for the whole family.