Review of Lifeguard (1976) by Debbie H — 27 Jul 2010

Just watched this c.1976 GEM! Sam Elliot is at his sexiest in this piece which highlights the 70's at its delightfully cheesiest! From the after-school-special instrumental interludes that crescendo when the lovers (shot up-close if at all to avoid showing any indecency) reach theirs.

..ahhh...the sunsets, the hair-dos, the lifeguards (30-yr-old Sam and his trainee, a perky 16ish Parker Stevenson) who tuck their t-shirts into their tiiiiiiiight jeans! It's almost too much! The budding teenage semi-virgin (played by a young Kathleen Quinlan) who falls for "Rick" (perfect!) the lifeguard because he "made love to her" once in his shack.

She's a woman now, and she'll kill herself over him if she wants! But, due to a kismet-ridden meeting at Rick's high school reunion, he's now smitten once again by Cathy (Anne Archer).

..and has to give some thought to a life with her and her kid. This movie is RICH with scenery that will make you spit whatever you're drinking out your nose: the driving scenes (Rick drives a bitchin' black Corvette) featuring the ultimate collection of parked 70's cars, restaurants/stores which no longer exist, the beachwear (you just have to see it to believe it)! It's a trip down a lane that is worth a couple of hours! Keeper! (Note: if you see this movie, pay special attention to the song playing during the love-making,"Our Love is Like the Wind, and it's Blowin' Me Away," - not that you could miss it! THE BEAUTIFUL HUMANITY!!!).