Lifeguard (1976)

Pretty Good

I wanted to but couldn't!

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Mustachioed Sam Elliott strikes quite a presence in this minor character study by writer Ron Koslow, all about a long-time lifeguard working the beaches of Southern California whose involvement with an old flame from high school precipitates ideas about changing careers (i.e., growing up). Good supporting work from Parker Stevenson (as a rookie lifeguard) and a young Kathleen Quinlan (playing a wise-beyond-her-years admirer) helps to strengthen the scenario, which too often lapses into dumb yuks and sexy underpinnings. Daniel Petrie directed very sensitively, aided by fine Ralph Woolsey cinematography. Not a bad time-filler, with thoughtful nuances under its sunny facade. ** from ****

Well, it's not unusual to have a small and cute movie. These are the movies which we pilgrimage to, escaping from Hollywood's big and loud movies. The thing is, this time, it is unusual to have a unique hero; with new solution for his conflict. So how is that ? Simply because this hero we watched didn't eventually choose the teenage girl who materializes his impetuosity for life, as well as his dive into it. And he also didn't choose the mature woman / his old love who materializes rationality and stability. The man preferred to choose his freedom, his self with its own defects. He preferred to work what he really loves, succeeds in, and can't forbid himself of doing (his work as a daily Life Guard at the beach), so maybe he could find someday that love which would harmonize with his status, and not the status which would harmonize with his love ! He is an interesting type of hero, who achieved his victory on circumstances for his invariability. And his very success was nothing but realizing that his happiness and his immutability were one thing, which if he tried to change; he would lose the thing he loved the most : his selfsame, or his precious nature. Although he knew very well that he is losing a lot in the same time "I know that I'm losing.. more than you could imagine !" but he selected not to select anything of what was in front of him.. and that – in itself – is a selection. In fact, we aren't used to watch this kind of heroes in the movies but rarely. That's why this movie isn't small and cute only, but rare too.

I first saw this movie about five years after a miserable divorce. I had worked fifteen years supplying a monster home, Mercedes for her, Jag V12 for me, all for nothing. With everything now gone I saw this film not once but two days in a row. The actors, the plot and the Bee-Gee's background music was almost hypnotic. It helped me change my vocation from being corporate cattle, to one that I love doing. A copy rests in my video library and is viewed regularly. It's 5 star to me.

With a different type of role for Sam Elliott. Has some of my fave actors in it besides him-Anne Archer and Kathleen Quinlan. She is a cutie, Anne is as always class. I enjoyed the theme of doing what you Should be doing for a career VS. what you Want to do. It was something that hit home with myself, having worked some dubby jobs in my twenties ere finally getting that 'Real' career that everyone expects you to have by c.30, roughly the same age Elliott is in this flick.I liked the poignant scenes of his 15 year High School reunion, the scenes of indecision he and Anne Archer undergo, trying to reconnect with what they had in their pasts, and the attempts to do something about it now. It is always hard to 'keep up with the Joneses' in High School, and as hard after too.Overall a good flick, nothing great, hearfelt, well acted, plays like a TV movie(maybe it was? I donno)-but one of the highest order.*** outta **** of course.