For Keeps is a film that makes plenty of good points regarding teen pregnancy. Trouble is, none of them are very funny. The film is a misguided vehicle for Molly Ringwald whose career plummeted afterwords. Ringwald plays a high school senior named Darcy who is impregnated by her high school boyfriend Stan. Both kids seemed to have bright futures ahead of them until they decide to keep their baby, and end up having to abandon their respective dreams. The film was marketed as a comedy, and that is just irresponsible. The only laughs in the film come from Stan's father and his incredibly chauvinistic comments he makes about things like stretch marks and the need for handles on mattresses. Honestly, this guy could make a caveman seem civilized.
Credit must be given to the writers and director John G. Avildsen, however. They don't really pull any punches when they detail just how difficult it can be for two teenagers to get married and try to raise a child. Many issues are discussed thoughtfully, including abortion, lack of money, lack of facilities at colleges for student-parents, and the loss of innocence. Darcy originally plans to abort the child, but cannot go through with it. The film wisely avoids dumping on the practice of abortion, and just simply makes it Darcy's choice. She does not want to get one. Simple as that. The two try to rent a filthy apartment but end up having to move back in with Darcy's mother. Stan does not adjust well to the thought of staying home with his wife and new daughter, and he begins to go out and drink quite often. Darcy's mother is portrayed as a jaded single mom who wants Stan out of her daughter's life. As you can see, the film chronicles one hardship after another for these two from the minute Darcy decides to have the baby. Much of it is very poignant. Just not very funny.
You get the sense that Advildsen just gives up trying to make the audience laugh after about the first half hour. He could obviously sense that there just weren't many laughs to be had in this script. Still, he tries to go for the picture perfect type of ending his more successful films (Rocky, The Karate Kid) were known for. Writer Tim Kazurinsky, who is at times brilliant, cannot come up with any true comedic wisdom here. Contrast this film with the wonderful ...About Last Night and you can clearly see the difference. That film was a terrific blend of comedy and drama. For Keeps is pretty much all drama with a few chuckles. It must be said that Ringwald is exceptional as Darcy. Too bad this film kind of killed things for her. Randall Batinkoff has been solid in other films, but not here. Once the baby is born, he becomes a crying, whining, jerk who is impossible to sympathize with. Overall, the film is a misfire. It never should have been marketed as a comedy. 5 of 10 stars.
The Hound.
Credit must be given to the writers and director John G. Avildsen, however. They don't really pull any punches when they detail just how difficult it can be for two teenagers to get married and try to raise a child. Many issues are discussed thoughtfully, including abortion, lack of money, lack of facilities at colleges for student-parents, and the loss of innocence. Darcy originally plans to abort the child, but cannot go through with it. The film wisely avoids dumping on the practice of abortion, and just simply makes it Darcy's choice. She does not want to get one. Simple as that. The two try to rent a filthy apartment but end up having to move back in with Darcy's mother. Stan does not adjust well to the thought of staying home with his wife and new daughter, and he begins to go out and drink quite often. Darcy's mother is portrayed as a jaded single mom who wants Stan out of her daughter's life. As you can see, the film chronicles one hardship after another for these two from the minute Darcy decides to have the baby. Much of it is very poignant. Just not very funny.
You get the sense that Advildsen just gives up trying to make the audience laugh after about the first half hour. He could obviously sense that there just weren't many laughs to be had in this script. Still, he tries to go for the picture perfect type of ending his more successful films (Rocky, The Karate Kid) were known for. Writer Tim Kazurinsky, who is at times brilliant, cannot come up with any true comedic wisdom here. Contrast this film with the wonderful ...About Last Night and you can clearly see the difference. That film was a terrific blend of comedy and drama. For Keeps is pretty much all drama with a few chuckles. It must be said that Ringwald is exceptional as Darcy. Too bad this film kind of killed things for her. Randall Batinkoff has been solid in other films, but not here. Once the baby is born, he becomes a crying, whining, jerk who is impossible to sympathize with. Overall, the film is a misfire. It never should have been marketed as a comedy. 5 of 10 stars.
The Hound.