Jeremy (1973) User Reviews

Film of a sort they sadly don't make anymore...

[Andymacphee1 · 8/10 · 11 February 2009]

"Jeremy" is a lovely story of two rather awkward, sincere teens who meet, fall in love, and part on a very sad note. Robby Benson is perfect in the title role, smart, funny but not obnoxious, quietly full of feeling for this little girl he's in love with. Glynnis O'Conner is Susan, one of those shy, sincere girls that only seemed to exist in the '70s. The New York City locations add a perfect backdrop to their story.

The sweetness and sincerity of the two leads is really something to behold, with no glamorizing or slickness thrown on to wreck it. Am I nuts, or was this a better time to be a teenager? I'm old enough to remember when the kind of sincerity seen here was prized, and not that uncommon. For their first date, Jeremy offered a showing of "My Little Chickadee" for crying out loud -- and Susan was thrilled! I'm afraid most teens now would sneer at this. The music alone would sink it for most, yet at the time I'm sure it was well-received. I was sad at the end of this not just because of the heartbreaking situation faced by Jeremy and Susan, but because of how far it seems we've all gotten from the simplicity and sweetness seen here.

25 years later and I didn't forget Jeremy's songs

[junior-17 · 7/10 · 28 October 2003]

I was a 12 years old when I saw "Jeremy" - here in Brazil, the title was "Susan and Jeremy - the first love". I remember I loved the movie, I cried a lot. Unforgettable is the soundtrack. After that age (today I'm 37), I've never seen this movie again, but - sometimes - I catch myself singing its song ('The hourglass song', I suppose). I'd like to see it again.

sweet little movie about a first love in high school

[FieCrier · 6/10 · 11 February 2005]

I bought this movie on DVD in order to see it after reading about it in a book titled Shyness & Love by Dr. Brian G. Gilmartin. Seventeen of the people in that study saw the film more than twenty times in the theater, one saw it eighty-six times, and another paid $1,000 (that he could scarcely afford) for a 16mm print of the film! I can't say that I've ever seen a film more than twice in a theater, and that wasn't out of any great affection for those films, just that I'd seen them, and then a group of friends or family were going to see it and I went along.

It is a nice movie. A shy high school sophomore develops a crush on a new girl at school, and with some help from a more outgoing friend and the confidence playing the cello gives him, he asks her out and they date. It's a pretty simple story, and probably pretty low budget, with lots of hand-held camera-work. It's nice, but I can't imagine watching it twenty times! Perhaps had I seen it when I was about the same age as the couple, I'd have a great affection for it.

The best movie I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot since 1973)

[snort90 · 5 March 2004]

I was 16 when I saw this movie. Not sure how to put into words the feelings I got as I sat there. I'm 46 now and I still think about the feelings I had that day in the theater. We've all experienced those feelings in real life and I'd love to go through it all again. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and get a copy somewhere. Love coming of age...Robby Benson and Glynnis O'Connor were perfect in this movie. I'm a middle-aged man now who feasts on horror and action movies, all I can take. If I had the chance to see it again, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Guys, watch it in private if you must and save your precious ego. You'll like the movie, I promise...

Jeremy

[rajdoctor · 7/10 · 18 September 2008]

Bored with the types of movies that are shown on any cable television in any country across the globe (even with 200 channels) – I always find it hard to make a decision on what to watch. This movie was shown on UPC Dutch TV, and reading somewhat good reviews on IMDb, I decided to watch it.

At first sight, Jeremy Jones (Robby Benson) a young boy falls in love with a newcomer girl Susan Rollins (Glynnis O-Connors) at school. After a few awkward meetings, they start liking each other, go together, and its special confused adolescent moments – make love, discuss life, know each other, enjoy each other's company – before the inevitable strikes. Susan's father (Ned Wilson) gets his transfer back and has to leave the city. With so much sadness both this young souls depart.

This is a beautiful simple FIRST LOVE story of any young souls. The moments, the stalking, the emotions, the happiness – everything is depicted in its simplest and truest form. There is not much coming in the way of their love – which is a relieving part of the story. It is straight forward. The supporting cast – especially Jeremy friend, his musical teacher and Susan father – give a very understated but human character. Their responses to this teenage love stays with you in formulating your own responses in life.

Both Robby Benson and Glynnis O-Connors give the best performances of their career that spans (for both of them) to nearly more than 55 acting projects in last 35 years. But this role will remain their most loved and well remembered. Both are so comfortable with each other – especially in those delicately filmed love making scenes – that it surely must be hard for the director and acting to film that successfully.

The Director Arthur Barron has done a very decent job in taking out performances from these young stars – who look so natural and full of honest love. He makes this movie still watchable and relevant, even after 35 years. It is fresh as a morning dew drop – and I think will remain so. This Director made only two feature films in his career, and mainly devoted his time for television.

A special mention of the theme song of this movie – Hour Glass – which is still hummable and pleasing to hear even today. It is a classic.

I would strongly recommend the movie to each and every adolescent to see and make it a part of their growing up years.

(Stars 7 out of 10)

Jeremy: Eminently Likable

[imagiking · 7/10 · 2 July 2010]

Seemingly little-known, Jeremy is a film I encountered through the recommendation of a radio critic to one of his lovelorn listeners (not me, I promise). Sounding rather interesting, I decided to give it a go.

The tale of first love and the enamouring wonder of teenage affection, Jeremy follows the titular character's rapid fall to the beauty of his beloved Susan. Starting with the first shy introductions, we follow the adventure of this fledgling couple.

Our opening scene introduces us to the main character via his bedroom and possessions as he slumbers on in the background, lightly romantic music giving us a gentle introduction. Once we are satisfactorily au fait with the young chap, scenes of a more verbal nature present us with one of the major themes of the film. The insistence of Jeremy's music teacher that "there's nothing wrong with being a good musician, you don't have to be great", as well as his father's claims that "you can't do two things at the same time and do 'em both well", lay a poignant foundation for later scenes. The first time we meet Susan coincides with her and Jeremy's first meeting, an amusingly sweet scene that might, in other less well constructed circumstances, have seemed sickeningly saccharine. It is from this point that the film's general tone becomes apparent: a tone which almost forces us to feel the same emotions as the characters. Never overbearing, the film keeps us on the same emotional tier as Jeremy and Susan, their growing love an accurate mirror of the audience's gradual inclination towards loving the movie itself. From start to finish, the scenes which feature the young couple are wholly convincing, the performances of both actors never wavering in quality, at least not in the scenes they share. Generally, the film would not suffer from a slightly more proficient cast, though this is almost completely forgotten in the warming aura of love's allure. Perhaps suffering from shortness a tad, the film gives its hero and heroine a little too little time together, though a wonderful central scene of physical culmination represents the beautiful peak of the piece, and of teen romance films in general.

Not without its flaws (though what movie ever was?), Jeremy is an eminently likable film which portrays one of the most realistic and memorable relationships the big screen has seen. Amicable, amiable, affable, and adorable, the film is in every way to us what Susan is to Jeremy: beautiful; irresistible; unforgettable.

Jeremy

[lasurfer77 · 9/10 · 11 February 2005]

I saw this movie in the early 70's, when I was 15 or 16. I was living in Peru, at the time. There was a girl my age that I liked a lot, that I took to the movie and we both identified with the main characters. I remember that you could get the theme song (record, 45 RPM) under the title "Blue Balloon Song" or something along these lines, from a local record label. The theme song was very popular and was played often by the local radio stations for several weeks. I am tempted to track her down and ask if she still has the record. This movie was recently released in DVD. I watched it again after 30+ years. This time with my wife and children. It was a big hit at home. Simple but enjoyable plot, very entertaining, pretty clean movie for today's standards. I would recommend it for the whole family.

Early 70's teenagers coming of age and falling in love in the big city

[Wuchakk · 7/10 · 6 July 2015]

Released in 1973, "Jeremy" stars Robby Benson as a 16 year-old cellist in the Big Apple who falls for a new girl in school (Glynnis O'Connor). Love blossoms as they develop a relationship. Len Bari plays the boy's best friend and Leonardo Cimino his cello teacher while Ned Wilson plays the girls likable father.

This has the same tone as 1970's "Love Story," except that it deals with young high school students rather than college-age (interestingly, Benson and O'Connor were the same age as their characters during filming, 16 and 17 respectively). I like it better than that more popular flick mainly because the girl is more palatable than Ali MacGraw, to say the least; not to mention the story's less downbeat. This is just a quiet, sweet and beautiful love story of city teenagers that smacks of real life. For instance, if you're a guy did you ever call a girl you were interested in and have a literal list of topics to discuss because you lacked the mojo to wing it? I did; several times.

This was only Benson's second film and he had what it takes to carry it, along with the winsome O'Connor. Being only 16, he looks way geekier than later films. Speaking of which, "Jeremy" is sort of the precursor to 1976's "Ode to Billy Joe" since both flicks star Benson and O'Connor as teen lovers, although they're a year or two younger in "Jeremy," not to mention in the big city rather than rural Mississippi. While "Jeremy" is good for what it is it's unable to breach the threshold of greatness like "Ode."

The film runs 90 minutes and was shot entirely in New York City.

GRADE: B

Wonderful!!!!!!

[tamstrat · 10/10 · 27 June 2005]

This little gem is one of the rare movies that one sees at a young age and it remains with you (at least if you are a prepubescent girl). This was released in 1973, when I was 12 years old, and I saw it at a drive-in (believe it or not) and I still remember thinking how awesome (yet sad it was) and how I hoped upon hope that my first love would be a boy like Jeremy (wonderfully and sensitively played by Robbie Benson).The love story is sweet and realistic, Glynis O'Connor plays the female love interest of Jeremy and seems to me she and Robbie Benson were involved romantically in real life during the time the movie made, if so the affection and love they displayed on the screen seemed very real.

I remember too that there was a brief nude scene, not graphic, but beautifully displayed, and all of this overwhelmed me at the age I was. I went on to read the book and it was excellent as well. I would love to see this movie released on DVD.

Why don't we see more of Robbie Benson? He was a great young actor in the 70's.

"I know I should say 'hello'...the problem is, what comes after 'hello'?"

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 30 September 2015]

Exceptionally bright teenage boy, a cello student at a professional school in New York City, falls in love for the first time with a newly-enrolled dancer just relocated from Detroit. Writer-director Arthur Barron shows a documentary filmmaker's eye in working out the day-to-day lives of these smart, appealing kids, while his script is blessedly free of issues. Jeremy (nicely played by a young Robby Benson) is intelligent without being a nerd, talented without alienating his friends, and quietly, jokingly rebellious with his humorless father without being a smart-ass. Barron won the Best First Work award at Cannes, and was nominated for the Palme d'Or, and Benson was nominated for a Most Promising Newcomer Golden Globe, though the picture was otherwise ignored in 1973. It gained some recognition once it played on cable in the late 1970s--and after Robby Benson and co-star Glynnis O'Connor were re-teamed in 1976's "Ode to Billy Joe". **1/2 from ****

Gosh!

[arreis-eathacks · 3/10 · 23 October 2014]

I find this movie quite slow and monotonous most of the time. The dialog is not engaging and foreign. One thing that I have to point out is that I fail to feel the emotion the character tried to portray. Maybe part of it because the way it was shot, too much close-ups that I was longing to see the setting as to establish the feeling of place.

As for the actors, they are really trying to do a great job until they kiss. I was personally feel annoyed the way they kissed pseudo- passionately. The character is just not played well enough to be believable.

The reason for the three stars is that because the story speaks of love and separation that could happen. Disappointing it is because it tells the story poorly like delivering a message in a made-up language and only the sender understands it.

One of the best teenage love stories ever.

[stampy-1 · 10/10 · 3 February 2002]

I originally saw this movie in 1973 when I was 17 years old and it moved me deeply. And now at 45 years old it still moves me deeply. The sound track, which I have 3 copies of, was done superbly with the actors Robby Benson singing "Blue Balloon" and Glynnis O'Connor singing "Jeremy". This is a must see for those who still remember their first loves.

Is Kermode right?

[garethcrook · 6/10 · 2 February 2021]

I'm here because Mark Kermode sent me. I suspect he's the reason many choose to seek out this odd 70s romance. I'm gonna go out on a limb and suggest that Mr Flappy Hands saw this at a formative and or in some way important time in his life. It's not going to stay with me in quite the same way I'm afraid. It's a tale of a young cellist called Jeremy (Robby Benson), obviously, growing up in New York with his middle class parents. He's a shy geeky boy amidst the hustle of New York. Doing well at school, playing his cello, walking dogs, carefree y'know. That carefree tone is in the music too, but despite the kitsch 70s score, it's got quite a realistic feel. It's shot really loosely, not like a doc, but it feels quite matter of fact and honest. This is a scripted love story though. Jeremy bumps into a new girl at school, Susan (Glynnis O'Connor) and is smitten. Ah but loves path seldom runs smooth does it. So we get a wistful Jeremy and awkward Jeremy, unsure of himself as he tries to pluck up the courage to ask her out. It's sweet and funny (and not because Jeremy looks like Jemaine from Flight of the Conchords). Alright it's very cheesy too, watched through our cynical eyes nearly 50 years on, but that's part of its charm. Jeremy finds his nerve and the two hit it off. It's nice, innocent, two kids learning how to be, how to communicate. Who they are, what they want to be. It's wide eyed and hopeful. But like I said, love seldom runs smooth. I can see why Kermode holds this in high regard. It's neat, simple and wears its heart on its sleeve. It's firmly in the cult kitsch category for me though. I'm pleased I watched it, but I don't think I'll watch again.

New York Hearts New York

[proteus6847 · 5/10 · 9 November 2012]

"I've got The New York Times," warbles Jeremy, the angelic Jewish teenager who gets straight As, reads Thomas Mann and Emily Dickinson, plays classical cello and falls in love with a ballet student. But don't think that Jeremy isn't a Regular Guy: he also likes rock music, plays basketball, hangs out with street-smart Ralphie and has a knack for picking winning horses (although he never bets: that wouldn't be sweet). This preening New York self-love, this compound of populism and culture-vulturism--this ingratiating depiction of the ideal Manhattan adolescent--is more irritating now than when I was Jeremy's age: too often, it strikes me as tony, cute and smug. Nevertheless, after 37 years, the movie still has winning moments, and the young Robby Benson and Glynnis O'Connor give appealing performances (which they never equalled). So I'll give it a pass.

A touching and heartfelt teenage romance.

[DEREKFLINT · 10/10 · 9 March 2003]

JEREMY is the most realistic and touching film of it's kind, that I had the pleasure of seeing when I was 19. I understand that it was filmed in 16mm and blown up to 35mm for theatre presentation, which gives the movie an almost documentary - type look and feel. Combined with understated performances by all involved, and an excellent "real-feeling" script, JEREMY avoids all the schmaltz and hyper-melodramatics usually associated with stories of this type. I hate to use the phrase "little film", but it does have the charm of a smaller, independently - produced movie. Before there was "FAME", this film about two students from the New York High School For The Performing Arts, who spend some time together and fall in love, only to be cruelly seperated in the end by unforseen circumstances, has remained a favorite of mine to this day. I have a cherished copy on VHS - I just hope a copy on DVD is forthcoming.

Beautiful Love Story

[ldkoke · 10/10 · 5 June 2002]

I love this movie. It's just a beautiful love story. Robby Benson and Glynnis O'Connor are just great together. I would definently recommend this movie to anyone. If you like Robby Benson and Glynnis O'Connor together check them out in Ode To Billy Joe.

still in my memories

[dirk-hofmans · 9/10 · 11 September 2007]

This is a movie we had to see with our class. Most of the times these movies were dull and boring, but then... they send us to "Jeremy". And I still am looking for a chance to see the movie again. I remember that they showed it on television in the mid 70's, before the VHS era. I recorded the soundtrack on compact cassette (inferiour quality, the recording was lost). I still remember however how the movie touched me, and I still can do the "horse-sound" by clicking with my fingers as Jeremy did. Does anybody know if this movie can be bought on DVD? I am looking for a copy since many years, but cannot find it in Europe anywhere.

A beautiful story about first love

[Fred-71 · 8 May 1999]

If you like love story, watch this movie. The simplicity of this film is beautiful. The song "Jeremy" is great.

a raw, realistic portrait of love

[leisurelymoments · 9/10 · 4 February 2021]

This film is a representation of that childhood crush, the girlfriend you had for one week that showed you the world, that fleeting girl you liked and then disappeared. It leaves you with that searing heart wrenching feeling that we all now so well. This is film making, where you can appreciate pure human emotion. Do yourself a favor and watch this one alone though because it's definitely not a group watch. Jeremy is introverted and a musician so i was able to identify with him. so maybe i'm biased here but the story and characters are well fleshed out for the screen time they are given. It's a shame these sort of films are pushed to the way side. 9/10.

a heartwarmer

[shneur · 10/10 · 24 July 2005]

I am definitely no fan of love stories, but there is something very special about this one. Robby Benson portrays a young man who, while immersed in the ultra- (not to say pseudo-)sophisticated world of New York City teen life, manages to preserve a purity of character and honesty with those around him that is almost painful to watch. Somehow he does this without becoming either a nerd or a buffoon. I call the performance brilliant because I can't imagine that actor Benson himself could have been very much like this, though perhaps that's unfair: he has gone on to a quite respectable acting and directorial career. This was Glynnis O'Connor's first movie, and she is lovely as well as sensitive in a quite delicate role. Of course the theme of teenagers' vulnerability to the buffetings of the adult world they are helpless to control is what determines the plot, but in this case that is less of a political challenge than a device necessary to bring the story to its conclusion. I finished this movie feeling warm and rather good inside.

30 years ago and nothing has come close to this movie

[4debholley · 10/10 · 2 April 2005]

After seeing this movie 30 years ago, and considering that it was no acclaimed, it was most likely a low budget movie with fairly unknown actors, that have not been in the limelight much since, it is always on my mind. Combined with the story line, the vulnerability of the characters and the music, it has become a part of me. The only other movie that has had this affect on me is a scene from Carrie, the prom scene when Carrie and her date are dancing, but more than that, their souls are connecting and is as if they are the only 2 people in the world, almost a spiritual experience.. Those 2 times, I haven't seen it since.

As good as the book

[postmaster-45 · 6 October 2004]

I saw this film after reading the book and loved it just as much. There are many things I enjoyed about the story/film such as the music, love and the cross town New York bus rides on a Saturday morning. Bus it was the way Jeremy raced other people in the street as if he was in his own horse race-this may sound silly but worked really well and Robby Benson pulls it off in a brilliant touching way. It shows a boy/young man in his own world finding someone who loved him for what he is. The wonderful cello music holds the story together and is not heavy-handed which it could easily have been with a lesser cast and director.

I would love to have the DVD and hope when it comes out there are plenty of extras such as location info and (lots)interviews.

9.5 out of 10

A lovely and moving teen romance gem

[Woodyanders · 9/10 · 18 June 2009]

Studious, lonely and awkward straight A student and cellist Jeremy (an excellent and engaging performance by Robby Benson) meets and immediately falls head over heels in love with shy and sweet new girl in school Susan Rollins (a fine and captivating portrayal by the radiant Glynnis O'Connor). Writer/director Arthur Barron tells the simple, yet touching and compelling story with great heart and sensitivity, placing the key emphasis on the tremendously appealing lead characters. Benson and O'Connor do stellar work in their roles: Benson projects a winningly quirky and gawky charm as Jeremy while O'Connor brings a beguiling delicate grace to the part of Susan. Moreover, the chemistry between Benson and O'Connor is wonderfully warm, affecting, and utterly convincing (the fact that they were both actual teenagers when they did this film gives the picture a substantial amount of genuine credibility). Their one big love scene is exceptionally tender and special. The couple's dates are likewise delightful, with the horse racetrack date rating as a definite highlight. Sturdy supporting turns by Len Bari as Jeremy's brash and outgoing best friend Ralph Marzoni, Leonardo Cinimo as Jeremy's stern, demanding, but helpful cello teacher, New Wilson as Susan's decent hard-working dad, Chris Bohn as Jeremy's hard-nosed father, and Pat Wheel as Jeremy's preoccupied mother. Paul Goldsmith's pretty grainy, yet slick and agile cinematography offers plenty of nicely gritty shots of the New York City locations. Lee Holbridge supplies a jaunty and melodic score. The tragic ending is a real heartbreaker. A poignant little winner.

Loved it by the second time

[sheffield · 9/10 · 3 November 2006]

Well, I own the soundtrack by Lee Holdridge for some years now, so I ordered the DVD to see "Jeremy". When I first saw the movie a few months ago, I thought to myself: Gee, what a jerk Jeremy is! When I saw the film again a few days ago, I saw a completely different movie. A movie made by a director who really cares about the young couple. You will probably rarely find a film which describes the discovery of love and understanding in such subtle, empathetic and unspectacular pictures. The ending of the film is very brave but also heartbreaking! But at no time - and that is a great quality of this movie - it becomes gooey or cheap. Once or twice I thought to discover a certain failing in the acting of Robby Benson, but all in all the actors did a very good job! Later on I told to myself: What a lucky guy Jeremy was to meet a girl like Susan. I would have given all to meet anyone like her when I was that age, but hey, it's an invented character and not a real person. By the way it's hard to believe that the director Arthur Barron only made few other films after "Jeremy" and nearly only for television.

Great portrayal of adolescent first love

[wrxsti54 · 8/10 · 31 July 2019]

"Jeremy" is a most endearing and realistic teen love story filmed in early 70's New York featuring a musically talented but shy high school sophomore Jeremy Jones who falls for a junior who is an intense new student and ballet dancer Susan Rollins. It is by no means a barnstormer, more a gentle fly-on-the-wall but yet extremely accurate look at all the awkwardness and agonies of adolescent first love. Almost anyone over the age of 14 could relate to the faltering, tentative attempts Jeremy makes to meet and then go out with the girl he falls for.

What I really like about this movie is the fact that the lead actors (Robby Benson as Jeremy and Glynnis O'Connor as Susan) are the exact same age as their characters. This gives a compelling sense of realism to their blossoming relationship. Too many movies today cast young looking 20+ actors as mid teenagers who may look the age they are cast for but they bring an unrealistic edge of emotional maturity and poise that comes after traversing adolescence. Benson in particular realistically portrays how a 15/16 year old boy approaches his first real love affair because he was that age AND he and O'Connor were an item off set at the time so that gives some realism to the later love scenes. Benson was nominated for a Golden Globe for Most Promising Male Newcomer for his performance in "Jeremy" being only his second lead acting role.

The movie features a few odd scenes given the shy character of Jeremy that clearly demonstrate that the director must've wanted to cash in on Robby's then emerging status as a teenage heartthrob by showcasing his famous model quality physical attributes. You can't blame the producers for wanting to get as many teenage girls to view their movie! Of additional interest is that Benson sings the title song at the beginning of the movie "The Hourglass". Benson sung a number of songs for movies he acted in and enjoyed a brief period of separate relative fame in his early 20's as a folk singer, a feat rarely matched by other teen idol movie actors.

Benson went on to star in well received roles in "Ode to Billy Joe" (where he again took the co-lead acting role with O'Connor) and "Ice Castles" but he was unable to expand beyond his teen idol status into more serious critically acclaimed roles in his 20's.