Endless Love (1981)

A high school student's love for a 15-year-old girl is thwarted by parental disapproval, circumstance and accident.

Director:

Franco Zeffirelli

Writers:

Scott Spencer (novel), Judith Rascoe (screenplay)

Stars:

Brooke Shields, Martin Hewitt, Shirley Knight

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brooke Shields	...	Jade Butterfield
Martin Hewitt	...	David Axelrod
Shirley Knight	...	Ann Butterfield
Don Murray	...	Hugh Butterfield
Richard Kiley	...	Arthur Axelrod
Beatrice Straight	...	Rose Axelrod
James Spader	...	Keith Butterfield (as Jimmy Spader)
Ian Ziering	...	Sammy Butterfield
Robert Moore	...	Dr. Miller
Penelope Milford	...	Ingrid Orchester
Jan Miner	...	Mrs. Switzer
Salem Ludwig	...	Mr. Switzer
Leon B. Stevens	...	Judge
Vida Wright	...	Sonia
Jeffrey Marcus	...	Leonard (as Jeff Marcus)

Storyline

Two young teenagers, Jade Butterfield and David Axelrod, fall in love with each other. But the passion is too consuming for Jade's bohemian parents. Her parents try to stop them from seeing each other. But when this doesn't work, David burns down the house and is sent to a mental hospital. This doesn't stop him from seeing her. When he gets out, he goes to look for her and remains in love with her. But in the end, the passion for his first love is too strong and she has to leave or this love will kill both of them.

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Plot Keywords:

teenage girl | sexual awakening | new york city | teenage angst | teenage romance | 

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Taglines:

She is 15. He is 17. The love every parent fears.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 July 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amor eterno

Filming Locations:

Kaufman Astoria Studios - 3412 36th Street, Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,163,623, 19 July 1981, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$31,184,024

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$32,492,674

Company Credits

Production Co:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Martin Hewitt was the subject of a high profile talent search. Despite considerable media attention, his career failed to take off. Both Leonard Whiting and Graham Faulkner experienced similar career slumps after appearing in Romeo and Juliet (1968) and Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972) for Franco Zeffireli.

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Goofs

At night, as David is starting the fire, when the wind in the trees is shown, day-for-night filming fails to hide that the sunny blue sky can clearly be seen through the foliage.

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Quotes

Jade Butterfield: It was a once in a lifetime thing, David. I know that! And it came in a time when we were too young to handle it. That was the terrible part.

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Connections

Referenced in Scrubs: My Heavy Meddle (2002)

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Soundtracks

Heart Of Glass
Performed by Blondie
Written by Debbie Harry / Chris Stein
Rare Blue Music (ASCAP)
Blondie courtesy of Chrysalis Records

User Reviews

So-So Teenage Film about Love...

David Axelrod (Martin Hewitt) and Jade Butterfield (Brooke Shields) are two teenage lovers. He is 17, she is only 15.

One night the two, after a party held at the Butterfield house, have sex by the living room fire, witnessed by Jade's mom (Shirley Knight). What follows is a story of strong love and separation that follows David's life as he is banned from seeing the one that he so badly loves.

This film is no way a fantastic film, but it also isn't terrible. Brooke Shields is absolutely stunning in this film (her acting on the other hand...) and her co-star Hewitt does a reasonable job as the lead. Although the film does have its faults and flaws, it is also a tender tale some can relate to... to some point.

Shirley Knight is touching as the mother and Ian Zeiring and James Spader also star as Jade's brothers. Look out for a nerdy and quite irritating Tom Cruise (with a high pitched voice) in a small scene.

I only rated it 10, because it doesn't deserve its 3.9 rating. I would give it a 6 or 7.