Forever

It's hard to explain why, but this coming-of-age story struck me as highly appealing. Some say that it pales in comparison to Judy Blume's novel; since I haven't read the novel, I wouldn't know. It's a simple story: Fresh-faced Kath (Stephanie Zimbalist) has her sexual awakening with the local blonde hunk, only to find that life is slightly more complicated than One Perfect Love, Forever. And that's okay.

When I tuned in, Dean Butler was sweeping Kath off her feet to the tune of "Cherchez La Femme." How many times do you hear Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band on the soundtrack of a movie, let alone a TV-movie? I was locked in place with fascination. Why? Because this movie exemplifies the look and feel of the 1970s in every frame. Shots of the kids playing Pong and doing the Hustle are presented without self-consciousness, not as condescending self-reference, but simply as teenage behavior. The '70s hold a strong appeal for me--the clothes, the music, etc. Forever was made before the world became the uptight, shrill, boring, ugly place it is now. Seeing as I was born in 1983, these feelings might be carry-over from a previous existence. At any rate...

The acting is thoroughly convincing. Zimbalist is likable, but the best turns come from Beth Raines (as her Janis Ian-style best friend) and John Friedrich (as a repressed would-be thespian); also noteworthy is a pre-Mommie Dearest Diana Scarwid as wild girl Sybil. I like the presentation of sex (and sexual responsibility) in a positive light, without any heavy-handed "moral" crap. Nowadays, no TV movie would dare present sex between young people from such a perspective. More's the pity. The wonderful less-than-slick, quasi-verite photography and dialogue are also something you're not gonna see again any time soon. Same for realistic-looking actors who don't resemble surgical freaks or Gap rejects.

Granted, there are moments that will trigger the why-the-hell-am-I-watching-this response in some individuals. For example, when the young couple hike through the mountains as Jennifer Warnes delivers "Right Time of the Night" on the soundtrack, you half-expect to see a frosty bottle of beer superimposed over the action. At some moments, the material seems to have been altered for television, with censor-friendly terms uncomfortably wedged in in place of swearing. There are times when the movie is downright awkward in its sincerity ("I wet my dress," murmurs Kath after setting off a burglar alarm). But the whole story is about being awkward and confused; many would say that adolescence is about being awkward and confused. And you learn from it. And we are left with the EMI logo and the gravel-throated voice of Stevie Nicks.

If you ever wondered what a very young "Almanzo Wilder" looks like in a blue tuxedo or frolicking around in a hot tub, this is the movie for you. That's the only inspiring thing about the film. I read this "coming of age" Judy Blume book as a kid in high school... and it should have just stayed a book! A whole lot of the meaning in her novel got lost in this made for TV translation. If you should happen to catch it on a Sunday afternoon on a bad cable station as I did... just pass.

This was actually considered racy back when it originally aired (or atleast the subject matter of teenagers losing their virginity on network TV was). Back in 1978, I gathered with two close friends to watch it in private at one of their houses, since her grandmother went to bed early and we could discuss its implications without our parents around. Watching this movie now, it is almost quaint. If you remember when Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" was on radio every 10 minutes, you will want to watch this for historical purposes. They actually play Pong, THE original video game, in this, and it was considered cool! They play RECORDS at parties! The one thing I could not relate to was dancing to dorky songs like "Right Time of the Night" at supposedly cool parties, with guys in polyester shirts. No, no, no; not at any of the parties I attended. Because of the sensitive nature of the subject matter, I suppose we must tolerate a couple of moral things thrown in, like responsible birth control, but atleast we didn't get a lecture on teenage drinking (thank you, Judy Blume!).

I watched this movie in 1978. Even though I was only 13 at the time of it's airing, I remember several parts of it like it was yesterday. I felt at the time it was a movie that all young girls would be able to relate to at one point in their lives or another, and I still feel that way. I think the movie actually helps a young girl make the right decision for her, by showing the pros and cons of a "forever" relationship at such a young age. If anyone has a daughter, I would highly recommend getting a copy of this movie and watching it with your teenage girl.(I actually don't think it would hurt if the boys watched it either, but we know how young boys can be). If anyone knows where to get a copy of this movie, I would love to see it again, as I'm sure many other people would. Awesome Movie! Just a little before it's time, people weren't ready for it.(parents)