Buy it, Rent it, Download it or Steal it - just see it!
This 1984 Movie starring Sean Penn, Elizabeth McGovern & Nicolas Cage; is as good as it gets!
This small town tale in California in 1942, touchingly tells of two pals awaiting Military Service; discovering first love & facing unwanted pregnancy.
Two carefree friends suddenly find that life is far from carefree. In the blink of an eye; they're desperate with intractable choices, weighing morality & dreading to leave the simple life for the scary unknown.
With 6 weeks before overseas deployment; every emotion is felt as they try to make time stand still - for just one day. Trains play a major role in the film & these two fine actors find; that as excitingly dangerous these Iron Horses are - so is life.
Actor Richard Benjamin directed this gem as well as "My Favorite Year", "Milk Money", "Mermaids" & "The Goodbye Girl" & made this Period Film so light that this Drama becomes a sweet elixir to swallow - that you can actually taste the 1940's air from the Soda Fountain Counter.
And the innocence of the Bobbysoxers sipping their afternoon delights as they chatter away; make us pine for yesterday.
Genuinely smitten; Henry (Sean Penn) assumes Caddie (Elizabeth McGovern) is rich since she lives in a mansion - but in reality is the daughter of the Maid & goes with the ruse as far as she can take it.
When Henry tries to get money to help his self-absorbed friend Nicky, (Nicolas Cage) with his girl friend's back alley abortion - Caddie comes up empty; but resorts to stealing for her new love.
Director Benjamin's attention to detail & the genteel nuances captured from this stellar Cast; demonstrate his sensitivity to this beautiful piece of art. For me; Elizabeth McGovern has always been a treasure & with every role; surpasses even "Streep" in subtety, spirit & heart.
Women in the audience will feel the fear in the girlfriend's soulful eyes as she awaits her fate & Men will swallow the lump in their throat as they remember their own panic, or of a friend; when they too, had this overwhelming millstone & impossible choice - as they've wrestled with the meaning of a life!
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V.Corso
OS Weekend Fiction Club
Thoth
Blinddream
Procopius
Rob St. Amant
Salon.com
Comments
R
Marina del Rey, eh? Well, you're in the right place, alright. I lived in Sta. Monica (Ocean Park) for a while. Thought I'd hate it (I'm from SFO) and wound up leaving SoCal kicking and screaming.
What I wouldn't give for a decent deli up here.... :)