Sooner or Later

Saw this movie on re-run just once, when I was about 13, in 1980. It completely matched my teenaged fantasies of sweet, gentle, interesting — and let's face it — hot — "older" guys. Just ordered it from CD Universe about a month ago, and have given it about four whirls in the two weeks since. As somebody mentioned — I'm haunted by it. As somebody else mentioned — I think it's part of a midlife crisis as well! Being 39 and realizing how much has changed since those simpler '70s times when girls of 13 actually did take buses and go to malls together and had a lot more freedom away from the confines of modern suburbia makes me sad for my daughter — who is nearly 13 herself. Thirteen back then was in many ways a lot more grown up.

The film is definitely '70s but not in a super-dated cheesy way, in fact the outfits Denise Miller as Jessie wears could be current now! You know what they say, everything that goes around... although the short-short jogging shorts worn by Rex with the to-the-knees sweat socks probably won't make a comeback.

The subject matter is handled in a very sensitive way and the characters are treated with a lot of respect. It's not the most chatty movie going — I often wished for more to be said between Jessie and Michael that would cement why he was also attracted to her. But the acting is solid, the movie is sweet and atmospheric, and the fringe characters give great performances. Mary Beth Manning as Jessie's friend Caroline is a total hoot — I think we all had friends like her. Maia Danziger as the relentless flirt with Michael gives a wiggy, stoned-out performance that just makes you laugh — because we also all knew girls that acted like that.

Denise Miller knocked her performance out of the ballpark with a very down-to-earth quality likely credited to her uknown status and being new to the industry. And I think not a little of the credit for the film's theatre-grade quality comes from the very capable, brilliant hands of the story's authors, Carole and the late Bruce Hart, who also wrote for Sesame Street. They really cared about the message of the movie, which was not an overt in-your-face thing, while at the same time understanding how eager many girls are to grow up at that age.

One thing that made me love the film then as much as now is not taking the cliché, easy, tied-with-a-bow but sort of let-down ending. In fact it's probably the end that has caused so many women to return to viewing the movie in their later years.

Re-watching Sooner or Later has me absolutely sick with nostalgia for those simpler times, and has triggered a ridiculous and sudden obsession with catching up with Rex Smith — whom while I enjoyed his albums Sooner or Later and Forever when I was young, I never plastered his posters on my walls as I did some of my other faves. In the past week, I've put his music on my iPod, read fan sites, found interviews (and marveled in just how brilliant he really is — the man has a fascinating way of thinking), watched clips on YouTube — what am I, 13? I guess that's the biggest appeal of this movie. Remembering what it was like to be 13 and the whole world was ahead of you.

I saw this film when I was just a teenager and I loved it. The characters are believable and the story is interesting. Jessie, although only 13, isn't treated like a baby, even when she messes up. The teenage boy isn't a disrespectful, selfish dummy only out for one thing and he's still sexy and cool.

Now that the movie has come out on DVD and I have a daughter of my own in her early teens, I can't wait to watch it with her. As a family movie, it will give parents and kids the opportunity to talk about why it's important to be honest and that being okay with who you are is always a better idea. Highly recommended.

I first saw Sooner or Later when I was 13 one Sunday afternoon. It moved me so much I have spent the last 18 years searching for it, and living in Australia it has been impossible. I am so excited as I just purchased a copy at E-Bay at a personal expense of $200 ($AU) including having it re-taped in our VHS format (PAL not NTSC), and I think it is worth every cent. If you are looking for a copy, keep your eyes open at E-Bay. I haven't received it yet and the anticipation is KILLING me! We all have EXCELLENT taste.

Here I am adding to this review 8 years later and the video turned up. I just finished watching it again for about the one zillionth time. I got married last year and we included "Take My Breath Away" on our wedding soundtrack that we used for the bonbonierie (table gifts for the guests). It will always be a part of my life.

I think there are so many reasons why I love this movie. I think the biggest attraction for me, age. It has that kind of after school special meets feature film look to it. Even though it is sooo cheesy and pop culture like, there is something real about it. The acting is soo down the the core real. I something I really miss with todays "teen" films. The way in which Jessie acts is soo the 13 yr old being the 17 yr old.

I remember watching this movie when I was 13, and now that I am older, for some reason I just HAD to have this movie on DVD. I am not sure what in gods name made me think I needed to have this movie in my collection, but after watching it again for the 15th million time, I REMEMBER. It is cute and cheesy and has a really good message. I am sure there are guys who can relate but the trilogy of books and the movie just go hand and hand with us girls when we were teens! I just some how got it and understood exactly what Jessie was going through, and I saw it 10 years after it came out! There is no way to really explain this movie, other than, if you can hang with the kind of raw quality and can get passed the 70s look, okay and maybe the music, deep down it is a really great movie to watch on a Sunday afternoon.

I taped this movie from TV in my teens and watched it whenever I was feeling a bit down. It is a wonderfully feel-good movie and I can totally relate to 13 year old Jessie. Unfortunately it was accidentally taped over when I was in my early 20's and I have only just managed to acquire another copy, over 10 years later. I sat down and watched it today and discovered that all the magic is still there for me. I love the clothes Jessie wears because they are similar to the clothes I wore at her age. I love the way she is not totally skinny, but about the same weight I was at that age. I thoroughly enjoyed the music which is really great and typical of the era. I even felt comfortably at home in the mall! In fact, I melted into the couch and just let the whole atmosphere of the film wash over me and was glued to the screen from beginning to end. For anyone who likes feel-good romances, I thoroughly recommend this film. Although I have emphasized my reasons for liking it so much as being related to my own teenage experiences, the issues Jessie faces in the film are still pertinent to teenagers today.