curtclevenger

After reading some of the comments rendered by the folks that saw this movie, I wonder who actually lived through the times this film is based on and who didn't. Anyone who was idealistic and rebellious at the end of the 60's into the 70's will surely see a bit of themselves in this film. Most of the people that I grew with during this time are now firmly entrenched in the "establishment" that as youths they abhorred with all the passion they could muster. It's called growing up, and finding your way to justifying where and who you are.

The characters are all products of successful families, who usually ended up being the ones that questioned authority the most anyway. That they themselves are now successful, only leads them to search for what was so important to them in their youth. The fact that the one member of their group that hadn't bought into the system commits suicide leaves them with even more questions.

The cast and crew of this movie couldn't have possibly done a better job of capturing the mood and emotion of the time. Every time I watch this film it stirs feelings of longing. Not only because I identify with the story, but because the soundtrack alone brings it all home.

This film tells the story of anyone who has looked back on their life with fondness, embarrassment, nostalgia, sorrow, joy, and any other emotion you can think of. Dennis Quaid does some of his finest work as an All American college football player who is a superstar in spite of himself. While he enjoys the spotlight and all that goes with it to a certain extent, he just wants everyone to accept him for who he is. Jessica Lange does her usual stand out job portraying a prototype southern debutante who starts out happy to be her man's woman, but as time goes on discovers herself. Timothy Hutton plays the cousin to Quaid's character and finds himself woven into the lives of the born to be together couple. John Goodman turns in a great performance as a friend and teammate to the "Grey Ghost" that coincides with the beginning of his long running role as the quintessential suburban husband to Roseanne. While this film is entertaining to the sports fan, it also appeals to anyone who wishes they might have done things differently. If the ending doesn't grab you just a little, you're not human.