There are different types of bad movies.This falls into the pretentious bad category, which is the most fun. It is the sort of movie created by someone who takes himself far, far too seriously. He has a degree of talent but not nearly as much as he thinks he has so his strivings for Meaning and Significance and Truth are as clichéd as .... a commercial.Joe Brooks, a jingle writer of the era, was the 'creative genius' behind this effort. Director, writer, star, teeth grindingly sappy ballad writer. Hey, it was the 'auteur' era so why not get in on the action ? Fortunately, the summer special effects blockbuster was discovered at precisely that time so the threat of Joe Brooks, auteur, was nipped in the bud.

I still can't believe a film with this many fine actors could be this poor, I had a fight with woman I was dating at the time. 1978(she thought it was wonderful)haven't seen her since.This is the only reason I still remember this clunker... Other people told me not to waste money. I guess I should have taken advice!! I haven't over the years seen any other other Joe Brooks productions. I don't even remember seeing Jimmy Breslin in this production, One redeeming quality was it actually was rather clean by todays standards and probably wouldn't have upset a church group. The bed room scene left 99% to the viewers imagination

finally! this film gets no respect, which is unbelievable to me...i saw one review by a member who commented on the beautiful score and how romantic this film really is! this movie had a huge impact on my life, as it's pretty much my life story...i too had a sweetheart in my youth who lives back East and i live in California just like Jennifer Corly...his name is even similar to Bob Morrison's! i can't watch this movie without becoming totally entranced and still think about my lost love often...the music is just beautiful and so moving and joe brooks is funny and charming...shelley hack is very lovely and does a great job with her winning smile and poignant tears as she says goodbye instead of goodnight in LA...well, i'm going back East in March and we'll see if maybe one can go back again...i may even move there, since i can't seem to get him out of my heart...it's been a part of me since i was 16 and the strangest thing is the movie came out a few months after i met him in Disneyland and i flew back to Boston to see him shortly thereafter...we've been trying ever since off and on...

This movie has a GREAT soundtrack. The title song is pretty but the others used are outstanding. "California", which we hear whenever the hero goes after his old flame, should be adopted by the state.Our hero is a top jingle writer for ad campaigns in New York with a desire to move up to movie scoring. This takes him to California, which is where the college sweetheart who walked out on him now lives. He wants to relive the past with a happy ending. This movie will resonate with anyone who has old memories.There are especially nice touches here about male friendship and intercommitment. James Brooks seems to have done everything: story, music, directing, lead role, and it does seem very personal. But this movie has a number of interesting elements in it. Some bits about working with advertisers to produce a musical spot are marvelous. Jimmy Breslin has an interesting side role. There is a lot of warmth to this movie, and don't forget the wonderful music.