I'm here because Mark Kermode sent me. I suspect he's the reason many choose to seek out this odd 70s romance. I'm gonna go out on a limb and suggest that Mr Flappy Hands saw this at a formative and or in some way important time in his life. It's not going to stay with me in quite the same way I'm afraid. It's a tale of a young cellist called Jeremy (Robby Benson), obviously, growing up in New York with his middle class parents. He's a shy geeky boy amidst the hustle of New York. Doing well at school, playing his cello, walking dogs, carefree y'know. That carefree tone is in the music too, but despite the kitsch 70s score, it's got quite a realistic feel. It's shot really loosely, not like a doc, but it feels quite matter of fact and honest. This is a scripted love story though. Jeremy bumps into a new girl at school, Susan (Glynnis O'Connor) and is smitten. Ah but loves path seldom runs smooth does it. So we get a wistful Jeremy and awkward Jeremy, unsure of himself as he tries to pluck up the courage to ask her out. It's sweet and funny (and not because Jeremy looks like Jemaine from Flight of the Conchords). Alright it's very cheesy too, watched through our cynical eyes nearly 50 years on, but that's part of its charm. Jeremy finds his nerve and the two hit it off. It's nice, innocent, two kids learning how to be, how to communicate. Who they are, what they want to be. It's wide eyed and hopeful. But like I said, love seldom runs smooth. I can see why Kermode holds this in high regard. It's neat, simple and wears its heart on its sleeve. It's firmly in the cult kitsch category for me though. I'm pleased I watched it, but I don't think I'll watch again.
Review of Jeremy
