Product: Endless Love [VHS] (1981)
Rating: 4.0
The Casting Makes This A Very Memorable Movie
This movie has had me intrigued for decades. Despite its flaws, this has remained a favorite of mine. I've always been so fond of the memorable scene at the end with Ann (Shirley Knight)and Jade (Brooke Shields)walking in the snow. I love the way that scene transitions to the final shot with Jade walking across the street (with the title score playing in the background). I'm also fond of the casting in this movie; I think Shirley Knight especially shines in her role as Jade's free-loving mother. Handsome Don Murray never looked sexier in his role as Jade's dad, but I think Zeffirelli fails to get a fully believable performance out of him and James Spader, cast as Jade's brother. Some of the hostility in the scenes between the Murray, Spader and Hewitt characters seem contrived and over-the-top. (And speaking of contrived, how did that little fire of the porch end up burning down the whole house? At the point where the characters are screaming and running out of the house, the fire could have been easily contained with a few buckets of water.) Hewitt, though, is impressive in his first role as David. I'm very surprised that Hewitt didn't capture more starring roles after this box office success. Shields, still a blossoming actress here, isn't always convincing in her role as Jade, but she still has her moments and her striking beauty leaves a lingering impression. And to the credit of Hewitt and Shields, the chemistry between David and Jade is very believable. (Score 3.5 stars)