The Last Days of Paradise

Trailer—There Goes My Baby

A fair-to-middling period piece, "There Goes My Baby" was written and directed by Floyd Mutrux roughly 14 years after he wrote/directed the cult comedy classic "The Hollywood Knights." Basically, "There Goes My Baby" is the same story as "Hollywood Knights," minus the humor; it's more serious-minded but also a bit bland and unmemorable by comparison It IS interesting for film buffs to watch the two films back to back and see just how similar they are. Not bad, but if you're looking for pure entertainment, choose "Hollywood Knights."

This is my favorite movie of all time. It's an ensemble film about a group of kids who graduate high school in 1965 and what they go through the summer after commencement. The cast includes a very young Noah Wyle, Dermot Mulroney, Kelli Williams (Lindsey Dole on The Practice), Rick Schroeder, and Jill Schoelen. Some critics will inevitably call it too earnest, a hodgepodge of 60s stereotypes, or a rip-off of American Graffiti (which I didn't like nearly as much), but damn it, I love this movie! I accidentally taped half of it off HBO and spent months trying to figure out just what it was. When I finally found it, everything just clicked. I can't comment on its cinematography or its artistic merit as a "serious film," but I highly recommend it to everyone who either grew up amid the social turmoil of the 1960s or just wishes they had.

Although it might not seem, it's a picture of what happens, at least once, in our lives... As the countdown begins for the demolition of Pop's Paradise, great friends get closer and closer to separation, as they will start heading for their own lives, following their "objectives", their dreams, after finishing high school. It all happens in the mid 60s, among social and political tension, which characterized the problems in the U.S.A. during those times. Full of spirit, it will show you courage, friend and leadership, and make you feel somehow nostalgic. The soundtrack couldn't be better, as it gathers some of the greatest hits of that decade, like The Drifters or Beach Boys.

Absolutely love this film. It is now, sadly, very hard to get a copy of to watch. Much better coming of age high school movie than the usual culprits (American Graffiti etc). The soundtrack is ace and really, really good acting from some young stars who have gone on to bigger projects. Please seek this title out.

It certainly would help if you, (as I was) a teenager during the mid to late 60's to enjoy this movie. The writer and director skillfully encapsulated all the issues of the time into a two hour movie that chronicled one graduation day/eve in 1965. All the emotions, political troubles, moral issues, family belief structures and youthful life styles and were portrayed through the friendship of these few individuals. This movie was one of the most nostalgic films I have ever watched.

This movie rocks! I hear that most of the cast look back on this movie and say that they wish they hadn't made it, but I can't see why they would say that. This is a fine example of a movie about the "innocent" years of the sixties, full of emotion, and spirit. It's nearly impossible to find a copy of this, but if you can, it's definatley worth a rent. A remade American Graffiti.