This absorbing t.v. movie recounts how an eighteen year old high-school student, and a woman old enough to be his Mum (in fact, his mother's divorced best friend),come to fall in love, and the affair's effect on their friends and family.
I had no problem with this concept: the treatment was sober and logical, progressing from initial respect between generations, to a realization that despite a score of years between them they had much in common, so much in fact, that it seemed inevitable that, they, eventually, fall in love, despite the social conventions, and their own inhibitions.
A word about filmic "social conventions". Movie romances pairing young women with old men, are many and unremarkable...why then should the "hook' to this movie be that the genders are reversed? Why should not the heroine be the "Midsummer"? (I refuse to describe the gorgeous Ms Lawrence as being "September")
As I say, I could see why any woman would fall for him...despite his age, he is a real man, bright, accomplished, sensible, generous, civil. If a woman wasn't attracted by his nature, his mind should appeal...failing that, he's a hunk, full of teen hormones
And anyone could appreciate Sharon Lawrence, delectable, whether dressed to the nines, or dressed not at all - she displays her physical charms even more than in "NYPD Blue" She's a mature spitfire , with an appetite for sex. Nor is she a predator preying on his teen innocence - - he seduces her!
Thus, for me, they were well matched...sure, twenty years down the road, their relationship will probably be strained, but isn't that true of most man-woman relationships, which seem so compatible at the outset? Will you love her/him as much in the next millennium (in some cases, next week!), as you do, today?...and she/he you?
No, the problem for me was not their relationship, but on the depicted reaction of some, in the movie. I would expect his male schoolmates to revere, rather than ridicule him - as they do in this film - when they discover that he's bedding a woman twice his age... it may be sexist, but, in real life, males, of all ages, look up to those of their species who "score" with the opposite sex, even more macho esteem accruing, if the sex-object be older, thereby, in theory, less attainable. And I found his mother's attitude really unhealthy...as an alternative to this gifted accomplished pair going off to Paris to, given their talents, a successful business and personal life, Mom demanded that ths MAN return home to live with her, and his family (Dad and Sis)!
I was very dissatisfied with the ending of this film...I won't reveal it, and I will say, that it was a judgement call, and why I bestowed but a 7...but many will find it a logical resolution, and it is a very watchable film, so I recommend it to all.
