Un amour infini...

I was a teenager when I first saw the movie sometime around the middle of the 80's... And a few days ago a I heard Endless Love from Whitney Houston - it was totally overwhelming. The first thing that came to my mind were the first pictures of the movie and the FEELING <- all with capital letters because this movie is not about the highest level of film-making but it did show emotions in their fullness - and it could have been the goal and I think this very movie did reach its goal. Why am I saying this? Almost twenty years later I just heard the song, the main theme and the first thing I could visualize was the movie, the passion, the emotions everything the movie wanted to demonstrate - and I think it did, really did.

I was just a young teenager when I snuck into the theater to see this one. This was the first "Love Story" I really ever watched, and I was touched. I was snatched away into the world of Jade and David, and seduced by the emotion and feelings. By the end, when the movie reaches it's climax, I was in tears. My heart was breaking for each of the charactors. Yes, I was young and emotional, but this movie made an impression on me and gave me my first lesson in Love. I snuck in two more times, just to feel those tears again. I Loved it!

Here's one of the unforgettable 80's films, heralded by it's title song. EL is a beautifully shot and acted film, of a boundless love, between two late teens, (Shields and Hewitt, perfectly paired) which when sabotaged by outside parties, heads on a path of damage and destruction, which weighs heavily on Hewitt's character. He becomes unhinged, by the vetoing of him from Shield's family, after things really start to heat up. Besides an undeniable and explosive passion, there are other contributing factors here, with exams and finals coming up. Don Murray as Shield's father was a standout here, where Shirley Knight as the mother who was really good, but it was Murray, who added spice. Knight's open Mother character, was one I really liked though. As you'll see, they aren't your typical family, but they're one you like to be part off. James Spader as the protective and pushy son, who was the catalyst you'll see, was fun to watch. You really feel for Hewitt's character during his breakdown, with emotionally powered moments, this, the strongest section of story. But it's hard to really feel anything for Shield's character until her return, after a long absence of screen time, as really, you hardly learn much about her character, and not that much more in the after. Nearing it's end, there were some well up tear moments, where soon you have a sudden, yet, unsatisfactory, but thought provoking ending, in this Zeffereli's 80 masterpiece. One movie that will make you ponder, well after the curtains, have come down.

Jade's mother watched them on the stairs making love because she herself was in love or had a crush on David. Remember when he went to see her in NYC and she tried to kiss him?? Just because Jade's family is eccentric doesn't make it hard to believe. He attempted to set wet papers on fire so he could look like the hero when he saved everyone in the house just like the story that Tom Cruise told. The impression in the end of the movie is that they will be together when he gets out. Brook's acting in this was sub par. I read somewhere that during the sex scenes the director would pinch her big toe so her face showed more emotion...? Who knows if that is true or not. The book is absolutely fabulous and much more involved story line than the movie. If you read the book you would understand how difficult it would be to adapt it to the screen. I thought the movie was good and got it's point across of young love and obsession but the book was sensational.

I don't know what everyone was talking about. This movie is great. I'm shocked at the low review and glad it didn't keep me from watching this movie, even though it almost did. I do agree that the performance left much to be desired, but they did have passion for each other. It was just the acting... Anyway, I didn't read the book and I think that was where the problem laid with a lot of people. It's rare that you will read the book and then watch the movie and be satisfied. Especially if it's a book you love. I'm glad I went into it not knowing much about it.

I do have to say how teed off I am about the huge spoiler in the description which tells what David did to the house, like WTHeck?! That doesn't even happen until halfway into the movie,Jesus!

Anyway, good watch. I will definitely watch it again and read the book. It was a beautiful tragedy.