My First Love (1988)

A widow goes to her high school reunion and begins a relationship with an old boyfriend, now a successful doctor who has a much younger girlfriend.

Director:

Gilbert Cates

Writer:

Ed Kaplan

Stars:

Bea Arthur, Richard Kiley, Joan Van Ark

Cast

Credited cast:
Bea Arthur	...	Jean Miller
Richard Kiley	...	Sam Morrissey
Joan Van Ark	...	Claire Thomas
Barbara Barrie	...	Ruth Waxman
Anne Francis	...	Terry
Brett Stimely	...	John
Richard Herd	...	Chet Townsend
Kate Charleson	...	Barbara
Edith Fields	...	Marion
Julia Meade	...	Chris Townsend
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Barbara C. Adside	...	Marie Mitchell (as Barbara Adside)
Lewis Arquette	...	Mark Grossman
Janet Brandt	...	Mrs. Salsky
Freddie Dawson	...	Inspector
Tom Fridley	...	Ray McDonald

Storyline

A widow goes to her high school reunion and begins a relationship with an old boyfriend, now a successful doctor who has a much younger girlfriend.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Second Chance

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avnet/Kerner Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Obvious stunt double for Richard Kiley in the scene where he falls into the water at Central Park. The hair on the stunt doubles wig is fuller and whiter in the back than Mr Kiley's real hair.

User Reviews

Restrained Bea Arthur offering gives this film dimension.

Well worth a look for Bea Arthur fans, it's unlikely to win her any new ones. However I found Miss Arthur's overall performance to give the plot a depth that would have been lost otherwise. Filmed specifically for TV, it does come across as hurried and poorly developed and this is where it spoils. Also Joan Van Ark's "Claire" is little more than irritating.

Nicely dealing with a late-in-life love affair, the two main characters (Jean and Sam) rekindle their feelings with one another yet they both have obstacle's of their own to deal with first. Jean must put to rest her widowhood and Sam must set himself free from his fear of ageing and/or death. There are some comical moments that keep this alive and some of the supporting actors offer some interesting banter.

However it's saving grace is a rare appearance on film of Miss Bea Arthur, something to keep and cherish, offering us a subtle and restrained performance that gives this the depth that it needs. Miss Arthur is always going to be an American "First Love" and I recommend that this will keep you entertained.