Until September (1984)

I love a good love story..... but this is just terrible! First of all, Karen Allen is too "butch" to be believable in this role. Her French lover is an egomaniac and totally non-sexy. Sure he lets the camera show his naked rear, but he is boring in every other way. I can't believe the dialog in this film or the "plot." Stupid, stupid, stupid. Where did they find the financing for this horrendous version of Hepbern's classic film "Summertime" set in Venice? I could not stop watching because it was so bad! This film set the entire country of France,Karen Allen and whoever else was involved in any way back! When it finally ended ("died") I just thought: "There are probably people sobbing over this 'love story'." They should go plant seeds like Karen did before ending up in France!

Karen Allen is the only reason to watch this otherwise awful movie. With the exception of "Eye of the Needle", Director Richard Marquand seemed unable to make good movies. I don't know why; he apparently was intelligent and well-educated. In spite of romantic fantasy, beautiful locations, and attention to details, the film builds from cliché. It never develops its narrative. This is not even a good soap opera.The French actor Thierry Lhermitte seems particularly wooden here, which is strange because he was excellent in "An American Werewolf in Paris", an excellent film. He cannot carry the role of a leading man. You keep waiting for someone worthy of Ms. Allen to show up. No one does.The score by John Barry sounds almost copied from classic French films. The score has a nostalgic sense that makes one think of good French cinema. The cinematography looks imitative of good French movies. Some of the images make you want to shout for something to emerge from the narrative. Even if Mr. Marquand ought to have been able to make an intelligent film, there is nothing intelligent or engaging about this mess. The only reason to watch this movie is to enjoy looking at Karen Allen's adorable smile. The high 2 I give this movie is because I had a crush on Ms. Allen back when she made this movie.

I saw Until September back in the 80's and still enjoy watching the movie... even today! Until September makes one still dream that anything is possible when it comes to the matters of the heart! The movie also showed just what promise Thierry Lhermitte truly had in store for his audiences and while I have never watched Karen Allen except in this movie and one other - I thought she was excellent in Until September. I also agree that this movie by "United Artists" should be released on DVD - it's simply unjust not to! I have written to make inquiries to that effect but alas, have received no response to my emails. And while this movie remains as "OOP" you can find it regularly on Ebay but be prepared to pay handsomely for the movie. Recently the going bids range from between $50 - $100.00 even for prior rentals!

A Harlequin Romance type of movie about an American horticulturist marooned in Paris who encounters a married man when the group she is traveling with departs for other countries with her visa. Endlessly contrived situations that break up/make up the relationship between them - however, the charm and acting skill of both leads, Karen Allen and Thierry Lhermitte, together with countless nude scenes, succeeds in overcoming the deficiencies in the script. What the movie is missing most of all is a forceful subplot, which would have added a greater degree of complication and reasons for breaking up and making up. Both leads act well. Hard to understand why Karen Allen never became a bigger star. And interesting to see Thierry Lhermitte, sleek and groomed, in a romantic role instead of the comedic roles he usually plays. And of course there is Paris - which never looked lovelier, more sophisticated and charming. (What time does the next plane leave?) Not a great movie but enjoyable to watch on a rainy afternoon.