The fact that Joseph Brooks - who had a secret life that revealed its ugly head before he committed suicide - wrote and directed this movie will probably make some viewers reluctant to watch this movie. And among those who do watch it all the same will probably keep thinking of Brooks' private life throughout the movie. But if you can put thoughts of Brooks' life aside, you will find some enjoyable things about the movie. The songs are good, though I think there's too many of them - I think first time filmmaker Brooks was using the songs as a kind of a crutch. Didi Conn does give a fairly believable performance as a weak-willed woman who finds personal strength at the end, though I must admit that her child-like voice was a distraction at times. And there are a couple of pretty powerful scenes, like when Conn's character breaks off her engagement, and later when she confronts her father. The rest of the movie is pretty forgettable (as well as being fairly predictable), but I will admit that I have seen far, far worst movies.

Yes, the song is catchy, but hardly great. Yes, the plot is pure soap opera. But Didi Conn delivers a great performance. With anyone else, this film might have deserved all of the scorn heaped upon it. But Conn's earnest likability really sells it. The supporting cast is good, but it's Conn's show. It's a pity she's just so nice - if she were trashier and more traditionally attractive, she could have a much bigger career. As some others have said, the award winning title song is also good the first few times around, but gets a little tiresome after a while. But the movie is one I can watch over and over (well, at least several times a year) and still enjoy.For anyone who's also a romantic and prefers films with heart to those with an edge, it's a must see.

I give this movie 7 of 10 stars, but that is by standards today...in 2005. I saw this movie when I was a kid and it really impressed upon me that I could follow dreams and succeed...and I have. I am a straight heterosexual male, married and two children, but I still get choked up over the song.Didi Conn is totally believable lip synching with the orchestra and she feels the song. I cannot even impress upon you the movement that this had in the movie...the turning point if you will...the ugly duckling bursting into a swan.Here is what is baffling...why Debbie Boone? The original singer of the song was Casey Cisyk who also had a part in the movie (bridesmaid). Her voice seemed to PUNCH through more...she was Laurie's voice. To this day I cannot find the original voice recording by Casey and now that she has died of breast cancer...her best work lives on...on screen.Peace!

Here is a coming-of-age film that embodies everything 70's. It especially appeals to me because I was born in 1960 & was a teenager in the 1970's. If a teen watches this film today it would seem hokey, the cloths especially odd & unattractive, the music sappy, & the storyline threadbare. But if you were there, it has a special nostalgic quality that is undeniable. This is an interesting story about a young woman finding herself & her way through life. Instead of padding the story out with too many unnecessary shots of Conn driving her car, they should have fleshed out the characters a little more. The storyline was also choppy. One minute she's told she has a major part in a film & the next minute a deadpan blonde is hired instead. This sudden shift in the story is too abrupt a transition. Also, when she tells her dad about the offer from Columbia Records to record her songs, it came out of left field. (Perhaps this should have been something her character struggled with. Should she stay in California & contemplate making the film & starting a new a relationship, or go to New York & record?) DiDi Conn is very likable in the lead & the music adds just the right romantic touch.