Free-spirited 30-somethingish lifeguard Rick Carlson (a fine and engaging performance by Sam Elliott) finds himself at a crossroads in his life: He's reunited with former high school flame Cathy (well played by Anne Archer), faces temptation in the form of sweet smitten teenager Wendy (an appealing portrayal by Kathleen Quinlan), and thinks about starting a new more lucrative career as a car salesman.
Director Daniel Petrie relates the engrossing story at a deliberate pace, neatly captures a pleasing easy'n'breezy laid-back Southern California vibe, makes good use of the lovely seaside scenery, and, most importantly, brings a spot-on low-key introspective sensibility to the surprisingly smart and substantial premise. Ron Koslow's thoughtful script explores with admirable depth and intelligence the central concept of how life is all about choices: A man can stay true to himself and keep on doing what he's perfectly happy with even if it means having a more modest lifestyle or do what others want and expect him to do by making "more" out of himself, which in this movie boils down to having a job in which you make more money and possess a more outwardly respectable social status.
Elliott's considerable scruffy charm and likeable personality go a long way in making Rick a deeply sympathetic character; he receives sturdy support from Parker Stevenson as eager rookie Chris, Stephen Young as affluent old high school buddy Larry, Sharon Clark as foxy stewardess Tina, Steve Burns as local teen troublemaker Machine Gun, and George Wallace as Rick's disapproving dad. Ralph Woolsey's sunny cinematography provides an attractive bright look. A nice little film.
Director Daniel Petrie relates the engrossing story at a deliberate pace, neatly captures a pleasing easy'n'breezy laid-back Southern California vibe, makes good use of the lovely seaside scenery, and, most importantly, brings a spot-on low-key introspective sensibility to the surprisingly smart and substantial premise. Ron Koslow's thoughtful script explores with admirable depth and intelligence the central concept of how life is all about choices: A man can stay true to himself and keep on doing what he's perfectly happy with even if it means having a more modest lifestyle or do what others want and expect him to do by making "more" out of himself, which in this movie boils down to having a job in which you make more money and possess a more outwardly respectable social status.
Elliott's considerable scruffy charm and likeable personality go a long way in making Rick a deeply sympathetic character; he receives sturdy support from Parker Stevenson as eager rookie Chris, Stephen Young as affluent old high school buddy Larry, Sharon Clark as foxy stewardess Tina, Steve Burns as local teen troublemaker Machine Gun, and George Wallace as Rick's disapproving dad. Ralph Woolsey's sunny cinematography provides an attractive bright look. A nice little film.