ENDLESS LOVE

US, 2014, 106 minutes, Colour.
Alex Pettifer, Gabriella Wilde, Bruce Greenwood, Joely Richardson, Rhys Wakefield, Robert Patrick.
Directed by Shana Feste.

It was surprising in 1981 that celebrated film and theatre director, Franco Zeffirelli, directed the Hollywood film – with the touch of soap opera – Endless Love. It was a star vehicle for Brooke Shields in those days and Tom Cruise had a small role. The main protagonist was played by Martin Hewitt who did not have a strong career in films. But the theme song, sung by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, proved very popular at the time.

But now this is a new time and a new version of Endless Love. A number of comments have indicated that it is quite different from the novel, and the novelist himself, Scott Spencer, has recommended that people avoid this film and satisfy themselves with reading his book. Certainly, in reading some synopses of the book and of the original film, the 2014 version changes a number of the emphases.

This time the young man is played by British Alex Pettyfer, who has had some success in recent times in American films like The Butler and Magic Mike. Here he is a strong character, unlike the original, and audiences will empathise with him, a rather principled young man from the wrong side of the tracks. The focus of emotional trouble is on Jade (Gabriella Wilde), finishing her high school, sad, along with her grieving family, at the death of her older brother, the shining light of the family who died of cancer. She has been quiet, confining herself to home and study, but sees David and is attracted by him and asks her parents for a graduation party so that she can invite him to. This is the beginning of endless love for them both.

All might have been well except that Jade’s father, expertly played by Bruce Greenwood, a single-minded father, distraught at the death of his favourite son, putting down his other son who never seems to be able to please him, and, to his father’s mockery, he is studying Communications. The father now places all his attention on Jade, wanting her to be a doctor, following in his footsteps. She is willing, until she falls in love with David, and wants to spend the summer vacation with him rather than going to a medical apprenticeship. Father not pleased, to say the least.

David does have Jade’s interests at heart, and is supported by his garage-working father, played by Robert Patrick. There are some fights, a fire disaster, which brings things to a head and, finally, the possibility of a future for David and Jade, a real beginning again for an endless love.

One thing to say about Endless Love is that unlike so many of the film is about young teenagers emerging from America, which tend to be fairly crass and sexist, this one advocates genuine feelings and wants to foster mutual respect in love and in families. Which is something in American films that we should not knock.

1. The popularity of the original form in the 1980s? The transition for the treatment in the 21st century: characters, crises, different tones?


2. The American town, the contrast between the rich and the pool? School, parties, jobs? The beauty of the countryside? The musical score, songs?

3. The title, love, depth, commitment?

4. Jade’s story: her age, place in the family, the strict parents, Keith and his easy-go-lucky style? Memories of her brother, his skills, father’s favourite, cancer, his father blaming himself and unable to save his son? His Rome as a shrine? The sense of loss for the family, the Jade? Not going out, studying and reading? Her graduation? Seeing David as a valet, the invitation to go for the ride, the stunt, the reactions? Her asking her parents for a party, inviting David? The bond between the two? Inviting him for the meal, her father’s being unpleasant? Coming back in the night, her initiating the sexual encounter? The consequences?

5. David, his age, ending school, the wrong side of the tracks, devoted to his father, the story of his mother leaving? His work of his father? High exam marks? Not going to college? The valet job, with his friend, taking the arrogant man’s car, the ride, with Jade? Being sacked? Attracted to Jade? Her father’s reaction? His being prepared to wait for the sexual encounter, her initiative? Fixing her father’s car? The father’s reaction?

6. The portrait of the parents, the strict father, as a doctor, expectations of his son, of Jade, of Keith, his disappointment in Keith? Married for 20 years to Anne? Going to the country, his kissing the neighbour, David seeing it? On the boat, the threats? A hard man, his expectations, alienating himself from his wife? Anger at Keith and Sabine for being in Christopher’s room, the records? Spurning Keith’s study in Communications? Anne, her patience, being a writer, published, David reading her book, signing it? Her love for her children? Grief for Christopher? Her being happy with Jade’s happiness and trying to persuade her to feel the same? Her pleading with him, going off to stay with Keith and Sabine?

7. Harry Elliott, a good father, hard-working, supportive, memories of his wife? His decision to sport David, even with the restraining order?

8. The visit of the country, Jade inviting David, Hugh being upset? His being persuaded to apologise?

9. The issue of Jade’s apprenticeship, Jade not wanting to go, David supporting her, the summer together?

10. Her leaving, David encountering Hugh, the taunting, David punching Hugh, getting the restraining order?

11. Jade going away, David and his feelings of anguish, Jenny and the past, the relationship, the escapade in this and Jenny ringing the police, everybody escaping, David staying behind, Hugh reluctantly bailing him and making a deal to not see Jade?

12. Jade at the airport, wanting to get through security, the discussions, hopes?

13. The fire, the candle in Christopher’s shrine? Hugh trying to get the trophies? David, going in, rescuing Hugh? Hugh and his acknowledgement of what
David had done? His breakdown, looking at his life, his prejudices? Ane and her leaving with Keith?

14. The couple together in the plane – and bound for endless love?