A Little Romance

source: A Little Romance

Let yourself go and just enjoy. Sometimes it seems that any movie about 'non-adudlts' is always rated lower than strong, heavy dramas about 'serious' topics. Lighten up, voters. Forget that the 'lovers' are pre-teens and appreciate this as a romantic story of two who will cross countries to fulfill a dream. Is there anything more romantic than "kissing under the Bridge of Sighs"? If you go to Venice you will see hundreds of other couples trying to create their own 'life time promise'. Not only is this a charming story but a lovely travelogue of Europe in the 1970s. Broderick Crawford has a wonderful time as a curmudgeon who satires his own stardom. A movie not really about a movie but about the movie business. Lots of inside tweaks that make fun of the world of movies, don't miss all the humor, irony and satire. That adds so much to the fun. Were this a story of adults rather than children, it would be better remembered. Give it a try. And enjoy. Freeze frame at the end.....priceless.

You know it is rare that in ones lifetime one get to enjoy a movie that appeals to what is sweetest about young love. The purity of love and the joy of discovery without being vulgar. A Little Romance is that movie. Skillfully written, wonderfully acted and beautifully acted. This movie should had won every award given. Please if you get a chance to see this movie see it. Sir Laurence, is wonderful as the old crook that inspires the star-struck lover to fulfill the legend of kiss under the bridge. He draws you into his character as only a master actor can and acts as your guide as these great young actors live out this legend. The two kids are super. Just the right mix of smart and innocence.

There are no words to express the real beauty of this movie, nor the depth of its import. There are those who have lived in such innocence and courage as the children in this movie, but in this new millennium such would be as rare as purity itself. After 106 minutes of near flawless value, it makes one wonder what has happened to wonder and gentleness; it seems they have journeyed far away, taking with them respect and graciousness. Such a treasure as this film makes one long for a time of civility and trust. Diane Lane had an auspicious beginning here, though too many of her later films lacked the substance of this one. Sally Kellerman does what she does best, and Arthur Hill seems the father of whom all daughters dream. By all means, rent this film and share the adventure!

This overlooked gem simply sparkles. Diane Lane plays a 13-year old American girl living in Paris with her mother and stepfather. She falls in love with Thelonius Bernard, a 13-year old French boy obsessed with American movies. When it is revealed that Lane's family will be moving back to the U.S., the two hatch a plot to flee to Italy to kiss under the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, feeling this act will seal their love forever. Assisted by Sir Lawrence Olivier, the two bright teens fulfil their mission. The great part about this film is that the love between Lane and Bernard is treated sensitively and without sentimentality or condescension. Lane and Bernard are in love and know they are meant for each other. Their intelligence about their love is in sharp contrast to the indifference or foolishness of most of the adult characters in the film who dictate their daily lives. The film's score is truly beautiful, utilizing Handel's Largo as it's main theme. There's a sweet vibe running throughout this film that makes it very special indeed. A great movie for a Sunday afternoon. Highly recommended.

This is the cutest, sweetest movie in the history of movies. In my opinion, it is the best romantic movie ever made, because it is so sweet and pure and the relationship doesn't go farther than a kiss. Diane Lane's best movie, as a rich American girl and Laurence Olivier doesn't exactly do damage to the cast list with his amazing acting (as always). So adorable, made me want to watch it 20 times, especially the kiss scene under the Bridge of Sighs *sigh*. Every 13 yr old girl's romantic fantasy is revisited in this impulsive, puppy love story of "little romance" that sparks the urge to "kiss under the bridge of sighs in a gondola at sunset when the bells toll". Come on guys, if you did that to a girl, any girl, she'd love you for life, just like I LOVE THIS MOVIE. <3

there are times when you're happy to be alive. there are also times when you'd rather be dead. i've cried more times than i can count being depressed or alone. we all have, but this was the first movie to ever grab me by the heart and say,"isn't that the most wonderful proclamation of true love, is there nothing more sacred to life than love?" this is the first time i ever cried happy for something. being with the person you will marry at sunset underneath the bridge of sighs and kissing as the church bell rings. watching the sun break through the dusk. truly devine..

We were the first family in our neighborhood to have a VCR. The first movie I can remember watching was A Little Romance!! Can you imagine being a 5 year old girl and seeing Europe for the first time through the eyes of these two beautiful teen agers. Seeing true LOVE for the first time in such a genuine, honest story! I was overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. I LOVE this movie! I have watched it many times in my life, at various ages. I have shared it with friends and family and watched with some odd sort of pride as they too fell in love with the story and its characters. Such a whirlwind story. Never a dull moment. And can I just say that the soundtrack is incredible!!! I still own our original VHS tape. It came encased in plastic inside a large cardboard, front-opening box. It has traveled with me, moved with me countless times, been watched repeatedly, and probably even cried on. But, like the true love it represents, it has withstood the test of time. However, last Spring, my own sweet, wonderful boyfriend did buy me the DVD, "for when your copy goes to that big VCR in the sky". (what a keeper he is) I cannot express the depth of emotions this movie triggers in me. And I can't explain how I managed to cling to the belief that love, can indeed be as simple and beautiful as the characters portray. But I can say that it has been my quest "to kiss under the bridge of sighs, at sunset, while the bells toll". It has become a dream to be fulfilled. Summer of 2005, my boyfriend and I will be in Europe. And we WILL visit Venice. And we WILL take that gondola ride. And as the incomparable Sir Laurence Olivier says in the movie " What are legends anyways, but stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things.....Something that two people who are in love create together, against impossible odds, CAN hold them together...forever!" We believe the legend is real!!!!

I was embarrassed for Sir Laurence Olivier who must have been in dire need of money to allow himself to be involved in this picture. The only two actors that actually seemed to know what they were doing in this film were Mr. Olivier who played Julius and Arthur Hill who played the father. Sally Kellerman was way over the top as the neurotic, hypocritical and overbearing mother (reminding of Hot Lips Houlihan in "M*A*S*H"). It appeared to me that the director was only interested in placing the children in adult situations and seeing how filthy he could get their language to be. The film might have been better if it had been completely subtitled or in English (with poor or unintelligible French and Italian accents). The only reason to actually view this film is because of Olivier. His character was believable. The story line was predictable and contrived. The direction looked like it may have been done by a film student who was unsure of how to direct...which is surprising, since George Roy Hill directed such watchable and enjoyable films as "The Sting," (which had a prominent placement in the film) "Thouroughly Modern Millie," and "The World According to Garp." If you have 2 hours to spend, it might be better to find something else to watch...maybe "Bridge to Terebithia," or "My Girl."

I came across this film on one of the movie channels a few weeks back, and was immediately bowled over by the seamless dialog and simple, refreshing story about adolescent love. What I particularly enjoyed about this movie was how the roles for the children were actually quite adult in theme, and watching all of them interact. The characters are extremely bright schoolchildren, as well as wise beyond their years, but yet not pretentious or self-conscious of it. Had the makers of this film used lesser actors the dialog exchanged between the characters of Daniel and Lauren would have been laughable and cheesy, but given the actors' command and understanding of the script, the movie is credible. I was also pleased to see such smart roles written for children, not to mention that the characters are far better role models than the characters they have now in movies. Given the smart, young girl actors they had in the '70s (Jodie Foster, Tatum O'Neal, Diane Lane), one wonders what's happened since - no way a movie this well thought out could be made now, or at least be made without it being ruined with some horrible casting choice like Hilary Duff or the insipid Lindsay Lohan. Overall, "A Little Romance" is a great film that has everything working for it, and is a great treat to watch with anyone, anytime.