I'm surprised to see it's actually not a racing movie but a love story, and a rather good one and among the few that did Pacino. Sure, for the asphalt lover, you will have a excellent introspective of a pilot(the danger, the uselessness of making circles) and a good retrospective of what was F1 in the late 70s. But, it's above all a dramatic romance that happens in Europa (Paris and Firenze essentially). As it's an early Pacino, he's the nervous, a bit cold and not smiling easily actor of that period. What's interesting is that her girlfriend will change him as a more cool, compassionate that's actually the old Pacino. The good thing also is that the girlfriend is very funny, free, careless and it's a big change from the usual romance, even as if Al says, she's a bit difficult to follow. In addition, Marthe Keller is a fine woman and it's also the proof that charm doesn't mean sex appeal. Another thing that catches my eyes is the carefree way of life of those times(drinking, smoking) and the flashy fashion. In a way, it's like the rebellious generation of the sixties has reaches adulthood without losing their conviction. So, explain why now, in the 10s, everything is forbidden and it's the time of the dark suits!

I saw this movie when I was too young to really "get" it. Then, I tried watching it again a few years later, and I thought it was boring. HOWEVER, I absolutely LOVED the soundtrack and I wish it would become available again. The music is so moving, and it's great to listen to when one is in a 'sad' mood....it has a feel to it which is strangely enjoyable. I wonder how many people are aware, really, that they experience a sense of 'joy' even in their own pain/grief? I doubt many are aware of it at all. But I've noticed this myself. There is music for every mood. And the music in this movie is peculiarly uplifting, perfect to induce a "feel good" pleasure, while experiencing the various emotions that most people might try to deny, yet secretly enjoy within. If I was rating the music, I'd give it a 20! But I want to get this movie, just to have the music, since they don't make the soundtrack. If you're lucky enough to know someone who has an LP, consider yourself fortunate! You could then have the honor of listening to a great, original score!

40 years ago I read Heaven Has No Favorites. During high school, I was a Remarque fan. He captured the feel of Europe in the 30's and 40's. Of course his 1929 novel All Quiet On The Western Front is a classic. Five of Remarque's novels were made into films. (All Quiet on the Western Front; Three Comrades; Arc of Triumph; A Time to Lovd and a Time to Die and Heaven Has No Favorites as Bobby Deerfield). Deerfield was not a great movie but I rate it #2 in Pacino's work, behind Author,Author. Most of his other movies, including Serpico, were about tough guy Italian stereotypes. As for Marthe Keller-- she's the type actress one would enjoy watching her read the phone book.

Charming, if slightly patronizing 70's drama. Superb direction. Subtle and understated script. Pacino at his most gorgeous. Howlingly funny, despite it's tragic subject matter. A memorable ending, brilliantly realised. I'd forgotten about the "look, it's Bobby Deerfield" scene as well as all that stuff about salami. Pacino's reactions, especially after first dropping off Marthe Keller at her uncles, are perfectly pitched, dead pan gems. Inexplicably maligned by many, this hidden jewel may be due a timely re-assessment, not least because Keller's performance now seems perfectly in tune with the Ritalin generation.