Windy City (1984) User Reviews

The Graduate Redux

[wdreeves-1 · 8/10 · 8 February 2007]

Other than Dr. Zhivago, this is probably my most favorite movie. I first saw it on HBO in 1984 when it was relatively new and saw it 3-4 times in a short period of time. I loved the acting by John Shea, Kate Capshaw and Josh Mostel. I think I was so enamored with it because of the similarity to The Graduate (marriage scene) and the fact that I was just fresh off of a break up where the love of my life at the time had gotten married to someone else. And the end was a perfect way to wrap it up in a bittersweet way.Your imagination can then write it's own perfect ending. I recorded the movie on VHS and haven't watched it in long time and the last time it wasn't very viewable. Would like to find it on DVD.

Under-appreciated gem!

[markcdaniels · 8/10 · 27 April 2010]

A "feel-good movie" where the good feelings are believable, "Windy City" is a little-known film about a group of middle-aged Chicagoans whose lives, quite realistically, haven't turned out the way they dreamed. Danny (John Shea) is a would-be writer lacking the self-discipline and courage to write, and also lacking the courage to tell ex-girlfriend Emily (Kate Capshaw) how he feels about her... until it's too late and she's married someone else. Then there's Sol (Josh Mostel), who inspires his friends to boldly follow their dreams and live with passion... but who is quickly dying himself. Sound like a bummer? It's not. Sol inspires not just his friends but the audience as well with his joie de vivre and carpe diem messages, and perhaps it's not too late after all for our wishes to come true. A movie about love and friendships, with a nice touch about mortality and the afterlife, but mostly about the positivity of living life like a capital-R Romantic. "What's it about? It's about a guy who still believes in happy endings."

A much-underrated, almost-forgotten film

[m_rappaport-1 · 8/10 · 24 May 2009]

I love this movie. I'm not sure why -- there are parts that drag and a few that don't make sense. But it is a movie with tremendous heart, and the things that Danny does for his best friend when he knows things aren't going to get better are things we all wish we could do.

At the time of this movie, along with "Dreamscape," "A Little Sex" and the second Indiana Jones movie, I would have sworn Kate Capshaw was going to become a major movie star. I suppose it could possibly have happened, but she made the choice to become Mrs. Spielberg instead. As for John Shea, he showed up in other things -- I liked him as the dad in Mark Harmon's "Stealing Home" -- but he was more of a quirky leading man that a classic one.

I wish "Windy City" were out on DVD. It seems like so much garbage gets released, and movies like this are still sitting in the vaults.

Woody Allen via Chicago

[jbels · 21 July 2003]

This is the type of movie they don't really make anymore--the loser writer tires to make sense of his life and tries to get the girl back and make his friends all work out (although the upcoming American Splendor kind of has that look to it). Earnest looking John Shea spends most of the movie trying to get all his pieces to fit in Chicago. Kate Capshaw is beautiful, looking like nothing less than a movie star.

A tribute to the friendships men develop that make life worthwhile

[notguilty1969 · 10/10 · 16 August 2010]

It's a shame that this movie is only available in VHS format, from sources like Amazon. The quality of any older movie is greatly enhanced in digital format, plus it is more readily available, easier to store, and cheaper to ship. Casting for this movie was magnificent, too bad it was only produced as a "made for TV" production. If you like Chicago footage of the North Shore along Lake Michigan, the movie is worth seeing for that reason alone. There is a love story, the protagonist loses and tries to regain the affection of the love of his life. But the real theme of the movie is friendships, how they sustain boys becoming men, as they age and their lives change. "The Rogues," a group from the old neighborhood, grow older, but they don't necessarily "grow up." This is a light but not a frivolous movie, and it speaks well for the human condition. Acquire a copy, and save it for a moment when you need a breath of fresh air, a hug, & some dark roast. No disappointments!

A refined "About Last Night" with great character developments

[mbul · 10/10 · 15 February 1999]

This is the type of movie that I still cannot get over has not been more known. A virtual "B" movie in terms of popularity, it is one of my favorites. It follows the life and times of several men, from boyhood to their adult lives...and the changes that occur in those relationships over time. This movie has a real Chicago feel (I'm born and raised here) and in my opinion is a refined "About Last Night." There is deeper meaning and developments of the relationships, and the ending ought to bring a tear to one's eye. John Shea is absolutely outstanding.

Best Movie Ever

[jbmaverick · 10/10 · 14 July 2017]

This is my absolute favorite movie, and I think the best film Armyan Bernstein ever did. It covers everything about life - love, friendship, growing up, careers, living and dying. The acting is first-rate all around, especially Josh Mostel and John Shea - I'm not really a John Shea fan generally, but I loved him in this film. The brilliant script manages to weave several interesting sub-plots involving the supporting characters into the two main story lines - the love story between Danny (Shea) and Emily (Kate Capshaw), and the friendship between Danny and Sol (Josh Mostel) who, at the beginning of the movie is languishing in a hospital with cancer and bemoaning the fact that he and Danny and their friends never became pirates. Although the movie is poignant, even heart-wrenching at moments, there are liberal doses of great humor sprinkled throughout. Bernstein did an excellent job of putting surprising twists on some classic movie clichés. The ending is nothing short of perfect.

A VERY CREDIBLE STORY

[cgonzalez · 28 December 1999]

I saw this movie some years ago... now I bought it !!! I like the story because it`s real... A nice and simple story of real people.. people that win and looses !! Danny, our hero, jumps the bridge and fall into the water...! his girlfriend married another guy ...! his most loved friend, dies.. and the friends team looses the football game !

Something that happens with real people all the time... Life is not a stupid Hollywood movie... Life is always about winners and loosers. Excellent performances of John Shea and Kate Capeshaw and beautiful music in the middle of a great and loving city. I really recommend this movie ...

Boyhood Friendships Mature

[goddess8740 · 9/10 · 13 May 2011]

I remembered loving this film in 1984 so when I saw it used the other day I had to buy it. For some reason I put off watching it but finally tonight it fit the bill. I wasn't that interested in the beginning of it but once Sol comes on the screen he has such a presence that I was hooked! In 1984 it was John Shea who appealed to me but this time he was almost annoying and the sincerity of Sol shone through. The love story with Emily ( Kate Capshaw) was good and I did cry. The way the friends pulled together and supported one another was moving. Most movies don't move me but this one even after all these years still does and that is high praise!!!

My sweet home

[Mh-629-615158 · 10/10 · 8 January 2010]

I love this movie! This is a great movie especially if you are from Chicago. I saw this when I was away at college in la, missing my sweet home Chicago very much, so it really moved me. This movie really made me stop and think about what's really important in life. Great scenes walking alongside the lake. It's a beautiful story about about friendship, love and who you wanted to be along time ago. Life goes along like it should and you do what you need to do to make a living. Your friend from childhood becomes terminally ill and you remember all the dreams you once had. Great lines, great story. This is one of those feel good movies, one that makes you remember what is truly important important in life. I hope you love this movie as much as I did.

Hopeful Ending

[mathmojo-imdb · 10/10 · 25 June 2010]

I barely remember this movie except for the effect it had on me. At the end, I thought, "This is exactly the kind of ending good movies should have." It was not a bullshit "happy ending" a la Hollywood, and it wasn't a European downer. It was what I call a "hopeful ending." Like life - you just don't know what's going to happen, but you have to keep going, and there is usually a good, ambiguous reason to do it.

If I ever finish anything I write, I am going to have the feeling of this movie in mind as I finish it.

I hope the term "hopeful ending" (not in the sense of some soppy "everything is going to be alright" crap, but more in the sense of "everything might turn out OK, and it will be interesting to find out") catches on. I also hope more filmmakers will take note.

Thinking of this movie made me have a wave of nostalgia that can be devastating and motivating at the same time. Thanks for writers, cast and crew of this sadly underrated film.

One of My Favorites

[jimbybee-102-932969 · 10/10 · 1 December 2023]

Wish this was available on Blue Ray or DVD. Watched it again tonight and stll love it and see new things I had missed in prior watching. I love the story line of lasting friendship and lost love found. Warms my heart everytime. Probably watched this twent times or more over the years since I first rented it from Blockbuster years ago. Had to get my own copy. Just realized they were on Lake Michigan and could never get to Tortuga no matter how long they travelled on that particular ship when Saul died. Never even occurred to me and since the last watching before that always wondered if the rest of the friends made it to Tortuga or Tahiti. Little things like that keep me coming back to see what else I missed. Really can't figure out why it is not on DVD or Blue Ray. If I could, I would buy the rights to the movie for that express purpose.