Little Darlings (1980)

One of my all time favorites.

Memorable, crazy movie

Absolutely the worst movie.

The first must-see film of the year.

I don't know how I missed this coming-of-age comedy in my youth, but somehow I'd never heard of it 'til I caught it while channel-surfing one day. I was quickly sucked in -- as much by the premise as by the humor. What, a sex-comedy from the girls' point-of-view? Brilliant! And a funny one at that? Even better! My favorite scene was probably the condom-retrieval by Penelope climbing into the boys' bathroom. It was a treat to see the girls getting into mischievous hijinx for once.(S P O I L E R S) But then, predictably, the film takes on a more serious tone once the two leads make good on their bet (well, at least one of 'em does). I guess I should have expected it, but the preachy style was a letdown. In the end, the film maintained the double-standard. Sex is a "big deal" for women -- don't do it unless you're in love, yadda yadda. Funny how I don't recall these sorts of "messages" in the male-oriented sex comedies. But it WAS 1980 so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. Perhaps a remake is in order? All in all, I still enjoyed it. Nice performances all around; particularly Kristy McNichol as Angel.

And while I'm at it, thanks to PC Hacker for leaving her comments. Her observations put into words an understanding about the movie that I'd only reached emotionally. I believe the reason this movie isn't well regarded historically is because it was so cynically marketed: two teenage virgins compete to experience sex for the first time. One reviewer at the time wrote, "What ever happened to Andy Hardy?" While the marketing was true to the movie's basic plot, unfortunately it allowed many lazy reviewers to see it through a myopic lens of an exploitation movie. Nothing could be further from the case. PC Hacker does an excellent job of stating what the movie is really about, and Kristy McNichol's performance really is astonishingly tender and complex.Kristy decided to retire from film, which is a pity - but I'm grateful she's left us this and I imagine her retirement plus the undeserved pejorative opinion by critics of the work adds to the poignant sentiment that fans hold for this film to this day.

Well, it looks as though I'm the only one to rain on the parade of praises for this supposedly touching 'coming of age' film, which is labeled by many as a 'must see' for the teenage crowd. With all the sex talk, smoking, drinking, swearing...not to mention the theme around which this movie revolves...it would be one of the last movies I'd recommend. As for its 'wonderful, sensitive' treatment of the theme, I think not.The story revolves around two 15 year olds at a summer camp...Ferris (Tatum O'Neil), a spoiled, rich girl, and Angel (Kristy McNichol), a tough, street smart kid from the wrong side of the tracks. Near the beginning of camp, the two make a wager as to who will lose her virginity first. Wonderful premise to start here, just what everyone would want for their own or their daughter's first experience, although the point is well made, I suppose, that the bet was an absolutely foolhardy idea in the first place. Anyway, one would hardly expect this wager to provide much of a challenge. Neither one of these pretty girls should have a very difficult time finding a guy who'll oblige and help her win... Anyway, their mission determined, Ferris sets her sights on an older camp counselor, Gary (Armand Assante) who shouldn't be messing around with 15 year old girls in the first place (just an aside), while Angel goes for a boy, Randy (Matt Dillon) from the camp across the lake. In short, Ferris claims she had sex but didn't, and Angel vows she didn't have sex but did. I suppose it at least makes the point that sex isn't something you should brag about, and that people lie about their sexual experiences all the time to impress. It also teaches a lesson in the unacceptability of using people, as Randy isn't very impressed to discover that Angel had sex with him because of the bet. Even guys can be used, folks.In terms of the stars, Tatum's performance isn't very impressive, nor her character particularly interesting, though the events at least undo Ferris's previous unrealistic, fantasy-like Romeo and Juliet sexual expectations. Kristy does, I must admit, give an amazing and brilliant performance for her age, showing all the conflicted roller-coaster of emotions that losing her virginity brings. However, I question whether Angel's first sexual encounter suddenly turns her into this supposedly warm, caring young woman that will now for the first time hug her mother. The point SHOULD have been that she hugs her mom because she's just so wretchedly upset over the whole sorry business, regrets her behavior, and wants comfort...a not unlikely scenario, in my opinion, and the correct message here. Not this whole phony 'awakening sexuality' hoopla, and imparting that just because the guy was nice, the sex was great and quite acceptable. The movie depicts teenagers playing with fire, as far as I'm concerned, in terms of the bet, the subsequent events, and the overall message of the movie, which totally divorces sex from meaningful love...much less true commitment and marriage, heaven forbid. Angel may indeed have had feelings for Randy (and even vice versa), but teenage summer camp romances are not noted for their longevity. Plus, let's remember, these girls are all of 15. The film does at least convey some of the intense feelings normally involved in a first sexual experience, that sex is neither all romantic Romeo and Juliet nor merely biology, but it doesn't relate loss of virginity in any way to genuine love. A great performance here by Kristy McNichol and a few good points made as mentioned, but a very damaging message overall. Maybe they should have continued on with the plot, having Angel realize a few weeks later that the condom failed and she's forced at age 15 to cope with either an unwanted pregnancy & childbirth (and either childrearing or adoption), or else the devastating dilemma of abortion. So much for her beautiful sexual awakening. This film is neither cute, amusing, nor nostalgic. Keep it out of the classroom, please.

Little Darlings is a classic teen movie but the appeal is that it can actually be enjoyed by all ages. I have seen this one and one half times. I FIRST saw it when I was a kid but I actually think it can be enjoyed as much or more as an adult. Little darlings is both a cute movie and a fun one-although it's a light movie, the characters go through and tackle, issues all young girls deal with in a fun non preachy manner and is pretty accurate in many places too. The reason it is so much fun to watch as an adult is for nostalgia purposes. Set at summercamp, it sort of takes you back to your youth. The movie is dated as anything and when I recently caught it again I almost had to laugh at the dated aspect but the fact remains it can still be enjoyed today.Teens will identify with it, adults will reminded of times gone by.