Forever Lulu (2000)

A schizophrenic romantic tracks down her college sweetheart to help her find their son she gave up for adoption sixteen years ago to the dismay of his new wife.

Director:

John Kaye

Writer:

John Kaye

Stars:

Melanie Griffith, Patrick Swayze, Penelope Ann Miller

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Melanie Griffith	...	Lulu McAfee
Penelope Ann Miller	...	Claire Clifton
Patrick Swayze	...	Ben Clifton
Richard Schiff	...	Jerome Ellsworth
Annie Corley	...	Millie Ellsworth
Lee Garlington	...	Linda Davis
Michael J. Pollard	...	Hippie
Ryan Bollman	...	Freddie
Matthew Fairchild	...	Man in Audience
Elisa Goodman	...	Woman in Audience
Greg Lipari	...	Book Seller
Nick Offerman	...	Man - Boardner's
Daniel Nathan Spector	...	Clark
Gabrielle Ashry	...	Hostess - Helena's
David Duran	...	Bar Tender - Helena's

Storyline

Lulu McAfee lives in a San Francisco home for mentally-ill adults. In June 1999, she bolts for Los Angeles and contacts Ben Clifton, an old flame, now unhappily writing for television and unhappily married to a psychiatrist, Claire. Ben is ready to call Lulu's doctor when she tells him they have a son, born after she became ill and their affair ended. He calls Claire to tell her he's driving Lulu to Wisconsin to meet the boy on his sixteenth birthday, a visit Lulu claims is arranged. On the drive, Lulu tries to rekindle the affair and restart Ben's idealism. Meanwhile, Claire boards a plane to Madison to watch her marriage collapse. Is there really a son? What emotional landmines will the trip set off?

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Plot Keywords:

schizophrenic | confronting the past | personal growth | first love | grief | 

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Taglines:

Two Ex-Lovers. One Open Road.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, brief nudity and a scene of disturbing images

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie's alternate name is: "Along for the Ride".

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Goofs

Yellow tape is visible at the foot of the bed as Lulu is hugging the pillow after she finds out that Claire and Ben once had a child.

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Connections

References ER (1994)

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Soundtracks

When Love Was New
Performed by Francine Reed

User Reviews

Touching and unsettling film...well done!

A soul-searching, touching film with excellent performances by all of the major characters. The film was in many ways much less predictable than I had thought it would be at the very beginning. Ms Griffin gives an excellent and totally believable performance; plus, an unusually clear insight into the mind of her character--not an easy task at all. I hesitated to buy this one, so I rented it. I am so glad I did...the movie was much more than I had expected from reading the cover and well worth the watch. On the other hand, I found it to be very unsettling and therefore am glad that I did not buy it because I will always remember this one clearly enough not to want to watch it again--it reaches deep into your heart. Highly recommended...

Details

Country:

Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 March 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Along for the Ride

Filming Locations:

Palmdale, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinelulu Internationale Filmproduktiongesellshaft mbH and Co. 1 Beteilegung KG, Cinerenta Medienbeteiligungs KG, Green Moon Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1