And When She Danced....
L. Shirley | fountain valley, ca United States | 12/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"She was older then him by almost 6 years. Their deal was to be best friends. When he was 10, she gave him a baseball pendant. This would always remind him that he was a ball player. When his father died the summer he was discovered by a scout, she was there for him to lean on. They became close. But who would be there for her? Katie was outwardly a rock, but inwardly a troubled and unhappy woman.In his mid thirties now, Billy Wyatt was in major slump. Not just a ball player slump, but a 14 year life slump. It was her death, that would once again, pull him back into life.
"Stealing Home" is one beautiful story that spans nearly 30 years. It is a story of family and friendship. A coming of age tale, that will be tugging at your heartstrings one moment and making you smile the next.It's a story of life. The cast is perfect and work well together. William McNamara is the teenage Bill, who has the most touching scenes with Jodie Foster, who plays Katie, an important and meaningful relationship in his life.Watch Foster's face, especially when she faces away from others. She is brilliant in her portrayal, you will see the pain she suffers, even as a young girl. Jonathan Silverman is the comic relief and wonderfully funny as the teenage Alan Appleby, Bill's pal, with one thing on his mind! He has some fabulous scenes with an "older woman". Mark Harmon as the older Bill,telling the story through flashbacks,as he must decide what to do with Katie's ashes,and Blair Brown, his mother, will touch you with their poignant performances. Harold Ramis, Christine Jones, Richard Jenkins,and Beth Broderick, all add their great talents to the story. Also, Helen Hunt makes an appearance, as the grown up sister of Billy.
The music is the icing on the cake for this delicious story. It frames the time era, especially defining the 60's("Poison Ivy","Baby, It's You","All, I Have To Do Is Dream") and will also leave you wanting more of the beautiful love theme, " And When She Danced".It tells their story well.I was going to go with 4 stars, but the more I wrote the more I realized how much I love this film. 5 stars to a film that stands up to many repeated viewings, and still warms the heart each time. One that says you can chose your own path and follow it.
The film is rated PG-13. It is very tastefully done, but the subject matter including suicide is very mature, so parents may want to view it first.
Well,I have got to have this soundtrackStealing Home: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, I'm headed over to add it to my cart.
Enjoy....Laurie
"
Summers of love
Steven Cain | Temporal Quantum Pocket | 09/18/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a wonderful movie and what a wonderful set of reviews. Stealing Home has definitely struck a chord with a lot of thinking, feeling people.The casting was a work of genius and every member of the cast, of whatever age group, gave 1000%. There are so many fine moments in this classic movie that I can only urge you to buy a copy ASAP. Yet through all the humour, drama, romance and teenage testosterone overload, the bitter-sweet tinge of loss and lost love gives Stealing Home a magical flavour.One of the greatest things about high quality teen love and initiation movies such as Stealing Home and Summer Of 42, is that the viewer can experience the events and the people's lives vicariously. While I cannot relate directly to this type of movie, as I never had any physical relationships in my teens, I can thoroughly enjoy living those moments through the lives of the film characters. This is a very sensitive and intelligent portrayal of the lives of a group of ordinary people, who shared some very special moments. In an industry filled with car chases and shoot outs, Stealing Home shines like a diamond and serves as a reminder of just how good a film can and should be.A true classic."
An Overlooked Classic
tcdiscenza | Virginia | 12/28/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It seems that many reviews before me have all presented sentiments similar to my own about this movie. I saw it for the first time as a freshman in college, purchased it on video a few years later, and I'm now adding the DVD version to my wish list.The story ties together a magical combination of love, friendship, family relationships, being lost/found again, spirituality, youth, and longing for understanding. Obviously this movie has the power to touch people. How many other movies on Amazon have an *average* rating of 5 stars?Buy it, watch it, love it. The soundtrack is also wonderful. It calms me and makes it seem like there are no worries in the world..."