Jeremy

I was a 12 years old when I saw "Jeremy" - here in Brazil, the title was "Susan and Jeremy - the first love". I remember I loved the movie, I cried a lot. Unforgettable is the soundtrack. After that age (today I'm 37), I've never seen this movie again, but - sometimes - I catch myself singing its song ('The hourglass song', I suppose). I'd like to see it again.

I saw this movie in the early 70's, when I was 15 or 16. I was living in Peru, at the time. There was a girl my age that I liked a lot, that I took to the movie and we both identified with the main characters. I remember that you could get the theme song (record, 45 RPM) under the title "Blue Balloon Song" or something along these lines, from a local record label. The theme song was very popular and was played often by the local radio stations for several weeks. I am tempted to track her down and ask if she still has the record. This movie was recently released in DVD. I watched it again after 30+ years. This time with my wife and children. It was a big hit at home. Simple but enjoyable plot, very entertaining, pretty clean movie for today's standards. I would recommend it for the whole family.

Bored with the types of movies that are shown on any cable television in any country across the globe (even with 200 channels) – I always find it hard to make a decision on what to watch. This movie was shown on UPC Dutch TV, and reading somewhat good reviews on IMDb, I decided to watch it.

At first sight, Jeremy Jones (Robby Benson) a young boy falls in love with a newcomer girl Susan Rollins (Glynnis O-Connors) at school. After a few awkward meetings, they start liking each other, go together, and its special confused adolescent moments – make love, discuss life, know each other, enjoy each other's company – before the inevitable strikes. Susan's father (Ned Wilson) gets his transfer back and has to leave the city. With so much sadness both this young souls depart.

This is a beautiful simple FIRST LOVE story of any young souls. The moments, the stalking, the emotions, the happiness – everything is depicted in its simplest and truest form. There is not much coming in the way of their love – which is a relieving part of the story. It is straight forward. The supporting cast – especially Jeremy friend, his musical teacher and Susan father – give a very understated but human character. Their responses to this teenage love stays with you in formulating your own responses in life.

Both Robby Benson and Glynnis O-Connors give the best performances of their career that spans (for both of them) to nearly more than 55 acting projects in last 35 years. But this role will remain their most loved and well remembered. Both are so comfortable with each other – especially in those delicately filmed love making scenes – that it surely must be hard for the director and acting to film that successfully.

The Director Arthur Barron has done a very decent job in taking out performances from these young stars – who look so natural and full of honest love. He makes this movie still watchable and relevant, even after 35 years. It is fresh as a morning dew drop – and I think will remain so. This Director made only two feature films in his career, and mainly devoted his time for television.

A special mention of the theme song of this movie – Hour Glass – which is still hummable and pleasing to hear even today. It is a classic.

I would strongly recommend the movie to each and every adolescent to see and make it a part of their growing up years.

(Stars 7 out of 10)

"Jeremy" is a lovely story of two rather awkward, sincere teens who meet, fall in love, and part on a very sad note. Robby Benson is perfect in the title role, smart, funny but not obnoxious, quietly full of feeling for this little girl he's in love with. Glynnis O'Conner is Susan, one of those shy, sincere girls that only seemed to exist in the '70s. The New York City locations add a perfect backdrop to their story.

The sweetness and sincerity of the two leads is really something to behold, with no glamorizing or slickness thrown on to wreck it. Am I nuts, or was this a better time to be a teenager? I'm old enough to remember when the kind of sincerity seen here was prized, and not that uncommon. For their first date, Jeremy offered a showing of "My Little Chickadee" for crying out loud -- and Susan was thrilled! I'm afraid most teens now would sneer at this. The music alone would sink it for most, yet at the time I'm sure it was well-received. I was sad at the end of this not just because of the heartbreaking situation faced by Jeremy and Susan, but because of how far it seems we've all gotten from the simplicity and sweetness seen here.

I watched this movie when I was 13, four times, in São Paulo... Needless to say, it had a great impact on me. I searched the record stores for it (and was sneered at, it was not "in" to like such a teen-movie!...), and found it! But it was lost (I suspect my brother!). I had piano lessons, at the time, and I asked my teacher to write down the title song for me (which he did)... That's how much I liked the film! Today, I'm 44, and found my way here, to this site, thanks to "Jeremy"! I very much would like to have a copy of the sound track. If any body has it, please, drop me a note! Check this movie, and, if you succeed, tell me how to find it!