Amazon.com video review:
Strife-torn America wanted a meat-and-potatoes romance in the
late '60s, and the country embraced Erich Segal's slim,
generic-sounding novel in a big way. It did so again for the film
adaptation in 1970, starring Ryan O'Neal as a law student who defies
his rich and powerful father (Ray Milland) on every issue, including
the former's love for a music student (Ali MacGraw). The two marry,
start life together...and then the Grim Reaper turns up at the
door. Directed by Arthur Hiller (The In-Laws), the
film ends up lacking the kind of stylistic boost that might have made
it a must-see for the ages. But its faithfulness to the book's
uncomplicated and, yes, moving intentions is pretty solid. O'Neal is
convincing as a nice guy who's as bullheaded in his own way as his
steely father (a nice job by Milland), and MacGraw has a way of
getting under one's skin. A viewer just has to try not laughing at the
refrain, "Love means never having to say you're sorry." --Tom
Keogh
