Aloha Bobby and Rose

I am surprised by two things - the number of other people who actually remember this film, and the number of people who remember it so fondly. As a matter of fact, my husband and I - who grew up on opposite sides of the country - both saw it when it came out in 1975, could never find anyone else besides each other (and our respective dates at the time) who saw it or even ever heard of it, and both remembered it somewhat fondly. I think because it never caught on and is therefore encased forever within the year of its release it serves as a reminder of our youth. Thus, if you are younger than about 50, I actually would not recommend this movie.

This movie truly has a great soundtrack and a great use of music in the action itself. For example "Locomotion" by Little Eva plays during a horrific slow-motion car accident scene. Someone else has already mentioned "Benny and the Jets". The other thing I notice about this film, separate from my own personal nostalgia, is that it takes chances that none of the homogenized formula-driven movie studios would ever take in today's film industry. It sets out to be a cross between "Billy Jack" and "American Graffiti", and hits the mark on some points (the visual feel of the film, the soundtrack), and misses the mark on others (little characterization or depth in plot). My six star rating is therefore somewhat misleading. If you were a teenager or in your early twenties in 1975, you'll probably see this film as eight stars for all the reasons I've given. If you are much younger or much older than that, you probably won't get it at all and for you it would be a four-star film. Thus, I split the difference at six stars.

I know that Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" had a re-introduction and re-awakening to the masses after 2000's "Almost Famous." But I know that "Tiny Dancer" was introduced to me in 1975 when this movie came out. But since this film didn't have the impact of "Almost Famous," that's why "Tiny Dancer" stayed pretty much unknown to the general public until 2000.

The film itself is OK. What makes it memorable is the music of that period, which besides "Tiny Dancer," we hear "Bennie and the Jets" during one of the film climaxes, and also "Karn Evil 9" from Emerson Lake and Palmer.

The music to this movie is fantastic! Elton John, Marvin Gaye, and others. I LOVED this movie when I was about 12, and it haunted me for 25+ years until I saw it again. Yes, seeing it now, I wonder why it was such a great movie to me, but it was! Paul Le Mat was gorgeous, and the chemistry between Rose and him was good. I just wish he could have turned himself in and explained so the movie could have a better ending!

Paul Le Mat, hot off of "American Graffiti", is our male lead in this story by writer / director Floyd Mutrux ("American Hot Wax", "The Hollywood Knights"). Le Mat plays Bobby Eckert, an amiable employee of a car repair shop who likes to set his own hours. One day, he meets a customer, the sweet Rose (Dianne Hull, "The Onion Field", "You Better Watch Out"). It doesn't take a long time for them to start falling for each other. However, one night, while in a liquor store, some thoughtlessness on his part and a bad reaction on hers lead to a death. Bobby is of the mind that NOBODY is likely to believe their version of events, so they take it on the lam.

"Aloha, Bobby and Rose" is not bad for this sort of thing. Ultimately, the story is pretty trite, but the movie gets by on engaging performances by our leads. Bobby and Rose do make for an appealing couple. There are other nice performances, too: Robert Carradine as Bobby's friend / co-worker Moxey, Martine Bartlett as Roses' mom, and the great Southern fried character actor Noble Willingham as Bobby's amiable uncle Charlie. Still, the movie doesn't quite hit its stride until Tim McIntire (who played real life DJ Alan Freed for Mutrux in "American Hot Wax") shows up. Cast as a colorful country boy named Buford, he lights up the screen playing a "life of the party" kind of guy. Leigh French is his gal pal Donna Sue, and other familiar faces like Edward James Olmos, Mario Gallo, and Cliff Emmich turn up as well.

The real value in this flick is the way it gives you a snapshot of California in the mid-70s: its car culture, its sights and sounds, everything. The soundtrack is just PACKED with pop hits of the day, and leads especially heavily on Elton John, using some of his classics like "Your Song", "Tiny Dancer", and "Benny and the Jets".

A fairly entertaining flick that, fortunately, does have some impact after it's over.

Seven out of 10.

I caught the last 10-15 minutes of this movie on its network premiere back in 77--- its haunted me all this time, now the DVD is out and I enjoyed it on a number of different levels--This is one of those heart- string pullers that does a great job of encapsulating the mid-70s LA car-youth culture and all those now scarce, classic neon signs! The plot and character development are transparent which gives the whole thing a strange, ethereal vibe heightened by the then hip rock and roll soundtrack. Its almost one long Elton John video in a way. Bobby and Rose are sensitively played, and if the acting and dialog aren't always the best well so what, the actors have heart and are good to look at and don't disturb the zen experience a movie like this can bring about. Mid 70s LA is ancient history and "Aloha, Bobby and Rose" serves as a surprisingly good time capsule for that era. The couple are doomed from the start and this film is depressing for the most part. A lot like "Midnight Cowboy" in many respects, tho not as good. Still AB@R is a cult classic and I think a lot of young folks would enjoy it.