In the Mood

In these days of headlines about women abusing boys for their own emotional and sexual needs, this movie definitely is a creepy idea. Even though it is generally thought that boys and men will get "it" wherever they can, the truth is, inappropriate relationships cause psychological damage to all concerned. A 15-year old boy has an unformed character, the same as a 15-year old girl, has an unformed personality, not yet strong enough to withstand the impact of a sexual relationship and emerge unscathed. And a woman who would enter into such a relationship obviously is already damaged goods.

Patrick Dempsey himself did apparently have an appreciation for older women and went on to marry a woman who played a character on a train in the movie. He was 21 at the time and she was 48.

Patrick Dempsey, in his very early film vehicle before LOVERBOY and HAPPY TOGETHER, played a lovestruck teenager known as the "Woo Woo Kid", circa 1944. He's the all-American boy who is always IN THE MOOD for women much older than him. To revive the 40s is an understatement; it could have been much more livelier and funnier the same way. When you first get a glance of this overlooked movie, it will almost be very puny and be best forgettable. This is probably Dempsey's best one, showing that he's been capable of being a kid out of the ordinary, and always ends up taking the wrong paths toward trouble. The "true" story of Sonny Wisecarver (which this is based on) seemed mightily uncommon and not often remembered to this day, but this piece of interest may catch your eye for a split second or two. Worth a valuable 49-cent rental.

In 1944, `Sonny' Wisecarver (Patrick Dempsey) is a fifteen years old teenager having very weird and depressive parents. He gets closer to his neighbor Judy Cusimano (Talia Balsam), a twenty-one years old woman living with a brutal man, Carlo (Tony Longo). His sensitive and delicate way of treating her makes Judy falls in love with him. They decide to escape to get married in a nearby town. A few days later, Carlo calls the police and the couple is arrested. The cases gets publicity, and the tender words of Judy about `Sonny' makes him famous as a heart-breaker. This is the beginning of a nice and funny movie, with Patrick Dempsey in the beginning of his career performing a character who really knows how women are to be treated. A good entertainment, recommended for those who likes comedy. My vote is seven.

The real life adventures of "Sonny" Wisecarver do seem like the stuff for a laugh-out-loud comedy, but that's not how it ends up in this retelling. To be sure, there are some humorous moments that did make me laugh, but most of the movie is not made out to be "ha ha" funny. Instead, it is lightly amusing. I think this was the right course for the movie to take, because it gives the events of the movie a sweetness that's somewhat charming. And while the movie is not hilarious, it's made up for in a large part by the story of the movie being so interesting, you'll wonder where it will end up.

Dempsey was a good choice for the lead role. He is very likable, and acts in a way that you understand why older women would fall for him. His character does do some stupid things in the movie... but he's a teenager, and we all did dumb stuff as a teenager. Another positive thing about the movie is that the period detail is very good.

Still, I could not help but wonder what people would think if the sexes of the movie had been switched. Just goes to show that when it comes to love and romance, there is a double standard.

Patrick Dempsey stars as "Sonny Wisecarver" aka the "The Woo-Woo Kid" in this small film which is based on a true story about a teenager in 1944 who has two affairs with older women. Beverly D'Angelo and Talia Balsam are appropriately sexy as the two love interests for Dempsey. All in all the film is a nice way to pass the time. It is one of those hit-and-miss comedies that came a dime a dozen in the 1980s. 2.5 out of 5 stars.