Love Story (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'Love Story' is a melodramatic "weepie" from 1970 that is directed by Arthur Hiller, and based on 1937's epic weepie, Camille, starring the great Greta Garbo. The love story at hand concerns Harvard law student, Oliver Barrett IV (Ryan O'Neal) & music student, Jenny Cavilleri (Ali MacGraw). Oliver comes from a wealthy family {of an 'old money' New England family}; the Barrett name is plastered all over Harvard's campus. Oliver has a very iffy relationship with his parents; particularly his stoic father, Oliver Barrett III (the great Ray Milland). Jenny, studying music at Radcliffe, comes from a more working-class Rhode Island background; working her way through the program, and then planning to head off for Paris to further her schooling.
Unlike Oliver's relationship with his dad, Jenny is very close with her loving baker father, Phil {she even refers to him by his 1st name}. Phil is played superbly by John Marley. When Oliver & Jenny meet ... it is immediate fireworks. They both get under each other's skin {in a playful way}, and they quickly fall madly in love. Along the way, they have obstacles to overcome while trying to have a committed relationship, and even marriage; the biggest obstacle being his father's disapproval of Jenny's social standing. Jenny tries to reconcile father & son, but to no avail. Still, they press on, believing that their love can trump anything. But fate steps in and, some things may be insurmountable for them to overcome.
As mentioned, this movie takes liberally from 1937's Camille + a dash of Romeo & Juliet for good measure. Its catch-phrase "Love means never having to say you're sorry" had a lot to do with its astronomical box office haul; to say the movie was a phenomenon is an understatement -- making over $100 million on a $2 million budget. Despite this movie being super sentimental, it still strikes a chord; warming even the coldest of cynics. Both Ali MacGraw & Ryan O'Neal imbue their characters with warmth & vulnerability and, if they didn't exhibit amazing chemistry, the film simply would not work. Luckily, they have it in spades.
Ray Milland & John Marley bring gravitas to the father roles. And look out for a very young Tommy Lee Jones. The other notable aspect of the film's success would be its incredible, swoon-worthy music score by Francis Lai. The music won this film's only Academy Award, though it was nominated for 5 others, including Best Picture, Director, Script, Actor, Actress & Supporting Actor (Marley). 'Love Story' wears its beating heart on its sleeve & makes no apologies for that. Is this movie a masterpiece? Well, no. But for what it IS, it is exceedingly well produced. 'Love Story' is genuinely moving, with vivid characters & a searing romance for the ages.
Unlike Oliver's relationship with his dad, Jenny is very close with her loving baker father, Phil {she even refers to him by his 1st name}. Phil is played superbly by John Marley. When Oliver & Jenny meet ... it is immediate fireworks. They both get under each other's skin {in a playful way}, and they quickly fall madly in love. Along the way, they have obstacles to overcome while trying to have a committed relationship, and even marriage; the biggest obstacle being his father's disapproval of Jenny's social standing. Jenny tries to reconcile father & son, but to no avail. Still, they press on, believing that their love can trump anything. But fate steps in and, some things may be insurmountable for them to overcome.
As mentioned, this movie takes liberally from 1937's Camille + a dash of Romeo & Juliet for good measure. Its catch-phrase "Love means never having to say you're sorry" had a lot to do with its astronomical box office haul; to say the movie was a phenomenon is an understatement -- making over $100 million on a $2 million budget. Despite this movie being super sentimental, it still strikes a chord; warming even the coldest of cynics. Both Ali MacGraw & Ryan O'Neal imbue their characters with warmth & vulnerability and, if they didn't exhibit amazing chemistry, the film simply would not work. Luckily, they have it in spades.
Ray Milland & John Marley bring gravitas to the father roles. And look out for a very young Tommy Lee Jones. The other notable aspect of the film's success would be its incredible, swoon-worthy music score by Francis Lai. The music won this film's only Academy Award, though it was nominated for 5 others, including Best Picture, Director, Script, Actor, Actress & Supporting Actor (Marley). 'Love Story' wears its beating heart on its sleeve & makes no apologies for that. Is this movie a masterpiece? Well, no. But for what it IS, it is exceedingly well produced. 'Love Story' is genuinely moving, with vivid characters & a searing romance for the ages.