I Will Take As Many Words As I Want To Write This Story
[b]Remembering “Love Story”[/b]
[i][c=#BF0000]It is truly a shame how some films become lost to time. It’s not that they are dated, or feel that way, or even that they age badly. It is because they meant something to a certain generation, a time, and when that time passes and that generation ceases to be vital the films associated with it also become as that. I’ve seen this happen again and again.
Sadly it is a function of time in that time moves on and what was once notable becomes forgotten with the passing of it. “Gone With the Wind” remains vital as it was epic and spoke of a tale on a grand scale . However “Mrs. Miniver”, the Best Picture of a few years later is all but forgotten. The former was not even a generational film as the latter was. “Rebel Without A Cause” and “Blackboard Jungle” may be lauded as classic but are they truly watched anymore? Gone is the beat generation they spoke to.
And while the film industry was barely 30 years old in the 1920’s that decade may have been the most inventive in movie making. I long to know what is lost that had meaning to the flapper era and the the times of The Roaring 20’s. (Ok–I I long also for flappers myself, that is flappers IN my wardrobe and of the general “Good Feeling” that decade had to it. ) [/c][/i]
[c=#BF0000][i]Moving ahead to 1971 and the classic film "Love Story”. ( my opinion) The film began, as most do, as a novel. And it was a novel that could bring tears to our eyes. It was a short read, not much longer than some novelettes. Which is to say High School girls read this in droves!!! (high school boys would read it in the privacy of their room with the door locked.)
“Love Story” was special. Special in the way others I have spoke of were as it may well have been the last, and best film of the hippie generation that I identified with. So to me this is personal. “Hair” had more hits to it but this was a silent and quiet film that did not attempt to have hit music associated with it. However the title theme would be a hit for a few. I am not a Ryan O’Neil fan but he and Ali MacGraw were so perfect in this. “Love Story” spoke of a time, and of two that fell in love. And, like most love stories there are always impossible odds to overcome.
Perhaps it is because Francis Lai, the brilliant french composer that did the music for this who died this past week. His work in this created a quiet solitude meant for only two in love, and for the viewer of their romance, In it we were allowed a glimpse into their relationship. Some of us longed to be her, or him, Or just to be THERE.[/i][/c]
[c=#BF0000][i]The above piece would be recorded by many and is still recorded-even as a Jazz Piece by Bill Evans and earlier The Modern Jazz Quartet.
It does tell the tale of Jenny and her romance very well. The film itself is panned by critics as being one of the worst however many dispute that. I am not one for rating “worst” films. It did speak to a generation and was , perhaps, their last lease on the film industry. At least the one that made a lasting impression.
And then it could be MY coming of age film. (one I often cite as “The Graduate” but perhaps it is more this??) Just as “Summer of ’42” would be to others. . Both were released in 1971 and both have a quiet sadness, and tenderness to them. Both leave us longing for an ending far different than what we were given.
So I am revisiting some of the scenes from ‘Love Story” this week, again, in part due to Francis’s death.
And I am feeling those feelings I had long ago…
..all over again.
And I long for MY youth…….. [/i][/c] [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25z1mIDGk6E]
@Peaches Thanks. His music just made the movie all the more enjoyable-and unforgettable to that generation. I saw it in theaters and after the "Skating in Central Park" scent where she talks of the hospital I cried--and I remained on a cry alert the rest of the movie.
This is "Snow Frolic". It is far removed from the skating scene. it is fun-and light beat. but heartwrewnching and sad at the same time. It is an odd dichotomy.
@Peaches I am gladdened that you like it. Oddly I came across it yesterday when looking for another song. I had forgotten about this. Two weeks ago when I was lamenting the movie and Francis I never thought of it.
Perhaps that was by design as I wanted the tribute to be equal parts the book/movie and the loss of Frances Lai.
@Elandra77 yw...let me know how it goes, if you like that one, try another tear jerker with John Garfield and Eleanor Parker in Pride Of The Marines.....
