User reviews

Other than Dr. Zhivago, this is probably my most favorite movie. I first saw it on HBO in 1984 when it was relatively new and saw it 3-4 times in a short period of time. I loved the acting by John Shea, Kate Capshaw and Josh Mostel. I think I was so enamored with it because of the similarity to The Graduate (marriage scene) and the fact that I was just fresh off of a break up where the love of my life at the time had gotten married to someone else. And the end was a perfect way to wrap it up in a bittersweet way.Your imagination can then write it's own perfect ending. I recorded the movie on VHS and haven't watched it in long time and the last time it wasn't very viewable. Would like to find it on DVD.

A "feel-good movie" where the good feelings are believable, "Windy City" is a little-known film about a group of middle-aged Chicagoans whose lives, quite realistically, haven't turned out the way they dreamed. Danny (John Shea) is a would-be writer lacking the self-discipline and courage to write, and also lacking the courage to tell ex-girlfriend Emily (Kate Capshaw) how he feels about her... until it's too late and she's married someone else. Then there's Sol (Josh Mostel), who inspires his friends to boldly follow their dreams and live with passion... but who is quickly dying himself. Sound like a bummer? It's not. Sol inspires not just his friends but the audience as well with his joie de vivre and carpe diem messages, and perhaps it's not too late after all for our wishes to come true. A movie about love and friendships, with a nice touch about mortality and the afterlife, but mostly about the positivity of living life like a capital-R Romantic. "What's it about? It's about a guy who still believes in happy endings."

This is the type of movie they don't really make anymore--the loser writer tires to make sense of his life and tries to get the girl back and make his friends all work out (although the upcoming American Splendor kind of has that look to it). Earnest looking John Shea spends most of the movie trying to get all his pieces to fit in Chicago. Kate Capshaw is beautiful, looking like nothing less than a movie star.

It's a shame that this movie is only available in VHS format, from sources like Amazon. The quality of any older movie is greatly enhanced in digital format, plus it is more readily available, easier to store, and cheaper to ship. Casting for this movie was magnificent, too bad it was only produced as a "made for TV" production. If you like Chicago footage of the North Shore along Lake Michigan, the movie is worth seeing for that reason alone. There is a love story, the protagonist loses and tries to regain the affection of the love of his life. But the real theme of the movie is friendships, how they sustain boys becoming men, as they age and their lives change. "The Rogues," a group from the old neighborhood, grow older, but they don't necessarily "grow up." This is a light but not a frivolous movie, and it speaks well for the human condition. Acquire a copy, and save it for a moment when you need a breath of fresh air, a hug, & some dark roast. No disappointments!

This is the type of movie that I still cannot get over has not been more known. A virtual "B" movie in terms of popularity, it is one of my favorites. It follows the life and times of several men, from boyhood to their adult lives...and the changes that occur in those relationships over time. This movie has a real Chicago feel (I'm born and raised here) and in my opinion is a refined "About Last Night." There is deeper meaning and developments of the relationships, and the ending ought to bring a tear to one's eye. John Shea is absolutely outstanding.

This is my absolute favorite movie, and I think the best film Armyan Bernstein ever did. It covers everything about life - love, friendship, growing up, careers, living and dying. The acting is first-rate all around, especially Josh Mostel and John Shea - I'm not really a John Shea fan generally, but I loved him in this film. The brilliant script manages to weave several interesting sub-plots involving the supporting characters into the two main story lines - the love story between Danny (Shea) and Emily (Kate Capshaw), and the friendship between Danny and Sol (Josh Mostel) who, at the beginning of the movie is languishing in a hospital with cancer and bemoaning the fact that he and Danny and their friends never became pirates. Although the movie is poignant, even heart-wrenching at moments, there are liberal doses of great humor sprinkled throughout. Bernstein did an excellent job of putting surprising twists on some classic movie clichés. The ending is nothing short of perfect.

I love this movie! This is a great movie especially if you are from Chicago. I saw this when I was away at college in la, missing my sweet home Chicago very much, so it really moved me. This movie really made me stop and think about what's really important in life. Great scenes walking alongside the lake. It's a beautiful story about about friendship, love and who you wanted to be along time ago. Life goes along like it should and you do what you need to do to make a living. Your friend from childhood becomes terminally ill and you remember all the dreams you once had. Great lines, great story. This is one of those feel good movies, one that makes you remember what is truly important important in life. I hope you love this movie as much as I did.

I saw this movie some years ago... now I bought it !!! I like the story because it`s real... A nice and simple story of real people.. people that win and looses !! Danny, our hero, jumps the bridge and fall into the water...! his girlfriend married another guy ...! his most loved friend, dies.. and the friends team looses the football game !

Something that happens with real people all the time... Life is not a stupid Hollywood movie... Life is always about winners and loosers. Excellent performances of John Shea and Kate Capeshaw and beautiful music in the middle of a great and loving city. I really recommend this movie ...

I remembered loving this film in 1984 so when I saw it used the other day I had to buy it. For some reason I put off watching it but finally tonight it fit the bill. I wasn't that interested in the beginning of it but once Sol comes on the screen he has such a presence that I was hooked! In 1984 it was John Shea who appealed to me but this time he was almost annoying and the sincerity of Sol shone through. The love story with Emily ( Kate Capshaw) was good and I did cry. The way the friends pulled together and supported one another was moving. Most movies don't move me but this one even after all these years still does and that is high praise!!!

Growing up with good friends marks a life of memories. You have a writer who has midlife crisis, other friends who are stuck in mundane lives. And the one who has a dream of sailing the sea. When he has become very successful, he gathered all his old friends who want to sail on a boat. In their youth, they were dreamers. The friend who was rich was later diagnosed with leukemia. As his health got worse, his spirits were high. He helped his friend who had a girlfriend who was getting married to someone else. After her marriage, he gets to go out to sea with his dying friend. Years later, the friend dies, and the rest have relocated with their careers. For him, he gets a second chance with the girlfriend from long time ago after her marriage failed.

A very good movie, gives moral support.

3.5 out of 5 stars.