A movie of some historical importance due to its then daring subject matter of a young, married doctor falling in love with another man. I understand that the three main roles were offered to just about everyone in Hollywood and no major performers in the early 80's would touch them fearing what it would do to their careers (how times have agreeably changed!), so they finally went with some TV actors who were hungry for film careers, though Harry Hamlin had made some movies, but apparently was eager to make a good one (Clash of the Titans, anyone?). However, while this is a bit historic, it is also pretty poor with some terrible writing and lackluster performances. Ontkean as the coming out doctor comes off best simply because he is sincerely sweet, but Hamlin gives an insincere awkward performance and Kate Jackson as the jilted wife is quite average. She was just not a good enough actress to carry the lead in this or any other film and her film career, or lack of one, confirms that. This was a great opportunity at the time that they blew because everything about it is mostly no better than mediocre and for this to succeed in any way (critically or commercially), which it didn't, it needed to be excellent to overcome the backlash it would receive, but alas, they didn't even come close. I originally saw this in a theater in NYC and it was a terrible experience. Every time the two males kissed, the rather ignorant audience went into hysterical laughter with insulting hoots and hollering and I found myself feeling bad for the actors, the characters on the screen, myself, gay people and how ignorant the general public can be. This was not a good day at the movies and the film itself has not gotten any better with time. It is a slight curiosity though, I guess.
Review of Making Love
