hughman55 There, I said it. I'm sorry - and I HAVE to say it because I do not love this film, and I mean it. I saw Love Story when it first came out in 1970. I was 14 and I thought it was crap then. Foolishly I attempted a rewatch wondering if my youthful impressions were too harsh. They weren't. In fact, they weren't harsh enough. Thanks to IMDb I can now see that this film was singularly responsible for the four worst Academy Award nominations ever. They make the nominations of Mikail Baryshnikov and Leslie Brown for The Turning Point look serious. At least those two could dance. I would seriously like to know how someone with the talent deficit of Ali McGraw gets into any film, let alone one from a major Hollywood studio, and gets to star in it, is terrible, and then gets nominated for an Academy Award. Which usually means something. Doesn't it?

Rob Starzec Oliver Barrett IV comes from a rich family but lacks confidence in his intelligence even though he excels in school. Jenny comes from a poor family but is full of personality and intelligence and is very blunt with people. This is Love Story, and it's a good one at that.The film doesn't hold back. It throws us into the focus of the film in the very first scene when Oliver is arguing with the school librarian, who happens to be none other than Jenny. They are an odd match since Jenny pressures him into buying her coffee with the attitude that she gives him (and he returns the attitude). They do begin to flirt though pretty quickly; Oliver asks her why she wanted him to ask her out to which she responds playfully "I like your BODY."The conflict within the film stems from Oliver's father (Oliver III) being overly concerned with his son's life. He gives advice for what his son should do, but Oliver sees this as commanding him. Oliver Barrett III is basically the reason Oliver attends Harvard, he has connections (and when he brings this up Oliver feels insulted) and wants Oliver to maintain status in the upper class. With Oliver set to marry the daughter of a baker, this proves to be a great problem with his father.It's interesting to wonder which relationship drives this film the most: the relationship Oliver has with Jenny, or the relationship he has with his father. The best scenes of the film prove to be when Oliver is conflicted with his father's presence in his life. These scenes prove to be well-acted by Ryan O'Neal. These scenes are heartbreaking, especially since one of them involves Jenny being on the phone with Oliver's father just a few feet away from where Oliver is sitting.The source of conflict proves to be very interesting for a romance story. However, it isn't difficult to notice how cheesy the film is at certain parts. The best line of the film is uttered twice in the movie, and while it is good it honestly also sounds like it comes from a Valentine's Day greeting card. In this sense, the acting in the film heavily outweighs the writing.This film may prove to be cheesy at times, but overall it is a very engaging love story which makes one question the importance of relationships and forgiveness. It is not the most entertaining of films, but it gets its themes across very well.3.0/4.0

varunthedragon-931-766034 Movies like this are what one should watch movies for. On the surface, it looks typical. At the very beginning,Jennifer's death is declared openly and the audience expect the thunderbolt from the very beginning and probably wonder what form it will take. But that is not what matters. The story itself is nothing too special. But what makes it special, or rather, what makes it different from a thousand other variations of this cliché? The answer is "humanity". Both Oliver and Jennifer are relatable as human beings who want to find their way in the world,specifically Oliver who wants to stand on his own two feet and move out of his father's "shadow". You feel for them and want them to succeed. There are compromises and sacrifices but you do understand they would not have it any other way. Oliver is lucky in many ways in that he got himself a wife who sacrificed her career and put up with his tantrums. Not everyone get such an ideal wife. But that is what love is. The writers have showed the ideal of love in these two characters. Love means having to sacrifice or compromise without expecting anything in return. It's unconditional. Thus, in real love, you don't have to say "sorry". One can always say the real world does not work that way and will be proved right. But that is also an aspect of human nature. But this ideal is what keeps one moving forward. It helps us face the harsher aspects of reality and should thus not easily be cast aside. In the end, the point of the movie is that Jennifer's life was short but it was not insignificant or empty. That is what truly matters.

Wuchak Everyone knows the theme music to this one. From what I hear, the film was a huge hit when it came out in 1970. The "love story" involves two students from Harvard: The guy (Ryan O'Neal) is a likable hockey player from an incredibly rich family who doesn't get along with his rigidly high-class father (Ray Milland); the gal (Ali MacGraw) is an intelligent musician from a working-class family who strangely calls her father "Phil" and cusses a lot.When I first saw the film, over four years ago, I didn't much like Ali MacGraw's character. She comes off bizarre and annoying ("Hey preppy" -- "preppy" "preppy" "preppy"). O'Neal's character, on the other hand, I found to be an all-around likable guy -- tough, but very nice at the same time, filthy rich yet undeniably humble and respectful.MacGraw's character kinda turned me off to the the flick the first time I saw it. Seeing it again recently, I enjoyed "Love Story" more because I was prepared to handle and embrace her strange personality.The father/son 'relationship' is interesting: O'Neal calls Milland "sir" at all times. In reality there's NO relationship at all. Hence, what ultimately takes place in the story is both understandable and believable.There's a funny scene when O'Neal finally takes MacGraw to his family estate to meet his parents. She's understandably overwhelmed when she realizes just how rich O'Neal's family actually is. Her true-to-character reaction made me bust out laughing.I enjoyed the New England locations and seasonal changes. The setting and tone naturally reminded me of "Dead Poets Society." I'm not saying "Love Story" is anywhere near as good because "Dead Poets Society" is in a class by itself. Yet, "Love Story" is a decent drama/romance; Just keep in mind that it's from 1970. Viewing it is like going back in time; in other words, it's a fascinating period-piece.GRADE: C+ or B-