kevin olzak 1977's "First Love" was a frank update of the kind of women's picture that began decades before (Harold Brodsky's original story was actually written in the 50s), but ultimately unsatisfying. William Katt follows his breakout hit "Carrie" by playing virginal college youth Elgin Smith, who instantly, and perhaps foolishly, falls in love at first sight with elegant upper class co-ed Caroline Hedges (Susan Dey), despite the presence of the older gentleman she's with (Robert Loggia), who turns out to be the lawyer business partner of her late father, a tragic suicide. A chance encounter the next day finds Elgin making an impression in clumsy fashion, and soon enough the pair are seeing each other regularly, until Loggia's reappearance with his wife (Virginia Leith) drives a tearful Caroline into Elgin's bed, for better or worse. One could describe the story as bittersweet, but surely that must be the fate of many such relationships, yet there is an underlying falseness driving Susan Dey's character that keeps us from liking her. This was Dey's starring feature debut, though a constant TV presence since THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY, achieving dramatic praise as an abusive mother later that same year in "Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night." In only her second feature film, sexy Beverly D'Angelo truly shines in the better role, as fun loving Shelley, girlfriend of Elgin's humorous neighbor David (John Heard), who's also going out with a deadly serious girl (June Barrett) who nearly catches him in bed with Shelley. Beverly (and Susan too) gets naked in Elgin's bed on her third attempt to score with him, but he subconsciously blurts out Caroline's name, spoiling the mood. Shelley confesses that she believes that she's in love with unserious David, so it's a genuine surprise when the two actually get together to make a go of marriage. It's almost too bad that their story is secondary, but William Katt shows that he could carry a film, especially one lacking a strong trustful ending. A rare appearance for Cleveland-born Virginia Leith, the same actress who achieved cult status in her previous movie "The Brain That Wouldn't Die," but would retire for good by 1980.

dansview If you came of age in the 70s from a middle to upper-middle-class white family, or you just like a good dialog-based story with Cat Stevens in the background, you'll enjoy this one. Interestingly, there are no ethnic minorities portrayed in this film.William Katt personifies the 70s nice guy better than anyone else can. I actually totally believed the scenario. It was his first love, but not hers. He was a freshman, while she was possibly a senior, and she was from a rich, educated background, while his parents owned a hardware store in presumably a small town. He was in awe of her beauty, her age, her sophistication, and even her inaccessibility. You could see it all in his eyes and mannerism, thanks to Katt's earnest effort.Having another person in your life full time is complex and high maintenance, even under the best conditions. Add youth to the mix, and it's even harder. This movie does a fine job of portraying the three elements of a new relationship: Learning about and dealing with the other person's baggage, planning daily and weekend activities, and sex.The music by Cat Stevens and Paul Williams hearken you back to a time when music was sensitive and dreamy, and the words meant something.

bruce-toms College guy William Katt falls in love with the "older woman" Susan Dey, who is actually 2 years younger. Katt was 25 and Dey was 23 when this was filmed in 1976. Some nice views of Reed College in 1976.It's supposed to be his first romance, but for a guy who's saving himself for real love, he has an odd knack for cringe-worthy pillow-talk about whether or not he makes her "come." It's totally inappropriate in such a new relationship. Someone had been reading too much Cosmopolitan! Dey makes a weird pillow-talk speech about a Bactrian camel sticking its tongue out in the snow.They have an extended love scene which is by far the high point of the film - Dey gets naked. Dey takes Katt to her house in the country, where they make love again. Then she gets a 5-second call from her older married lover, and out of the blue tells Katt she can't see him any more.After the booty call with the married man, she wants to get back together but Katt says it's over, and you can't blame him - she's pretty, but unfaithful and slightly nuts. He puts her on a train, to where is not known or explained - she's supposed to live in the area after all. Katt goes to a zoo and visits a Bactian camel in the snow.

Fire-WalkWithMe I guess I bought this because of William Katt, and because I liked him in other things. The plot sounded great too. Now, put William Katt (who I found beautiful in Carrie) along with the plot of him finding 'love' for the first time, it's a winner! Or not. I didn't not like the movie, I actually did like it! But some things I didn't. The music score was great! The 'theme' song by Cat Stevens, and the song by Paul Williams was great! Sometimes I found Katt annoying though, and sometimes you just don't believe his acting. (i.e. the scene on the bridge when him and Susan are fixing to break up again) Other times he's good. This is just a movie about him growing as a person, and learning. John Heard has a little role in the movie, he doesn't show off his acting skills in this though. Overall, it's a nice movie. 6.5/10.