Review of Love Story (2011) by Jennifer A — 25 Jul 2009

This shamelessly manipulative tearjerker kinda works!

Love Story (1970) - 6.3/10.

Director - Arthur Hiller.

Starring - Ryan O'Neal, Ali MacGraw, Ray Milland, Katherine Balfour, John Marley, Tommy Lee Jones.

Oliver Barrett IV (Ryan O'Neal) is a well-to-do Harvard Law Student. He falls in love with Radcliffe student Jenny Cavilleri, she of a blue-collar upbringing. Oliver's father (Ray Milland) does not approve of their upcoming marriage. But Jenny soon is diagnosed with a terminal illness which puts the relationship to the ultimate test. The movie's tagline says, "Love means never having to say you're sorry".

I usually dismiss films like this because, well, I hate being manipulated! But O'Neal and MacGraw have nice chemistry here and it works as a "time period" romance, especially as a diversion to many of the dark and cynical films of the time. It's a guilty pleasure!