Lifeguard (1976)

Excellent movie

This was an excellent movie. For me, it was full of nostalgia. A real feel good movie. February 27, 2008

Thin, predictable, not even a good waste of time

This movie is part of the Joan Collins series. Sadly it is the opposite of the glamorous image that she portrays. I have yet to see a more
predictable or boring film. Anne Archer: Where is she? I see a young teen sexy bikini girl who gets hot for a lifeguard, must have him or at least make love. I see a classmate trying to lure a lifeguard to sell Jaguars and make money. I see a rookie lifeguard trying to fit in with
Elliott. I see and feel boredom all the way through. I have a good copy that will go for $2.00 plus postage. Why? Ho Hum. Some like to see lifeguards rescue stranded people and enjoy photos of sandy beaches, with a few bikinis thrown in. I see a boring film that is thin. Elliott might have made this for some money. But this is not a movie that he would list on his dossier. Read a book or watch TV. You will enjoy either more. February 16, 2008

More for 70's fans than for Elliott fans

I bought the movie because of the positive reviews and because I'm an Elliott fan.
There are many positives--particularly the "West Coast" mood that is created. Shore, sand, sun, songs all add up to a relaxing atmosphere that perfectly fits the Sam Elliott persona.
On the down side the story is very thin. The Lifeguard doesn't so much examine his values as take a glance at them and shrug. I had hoped for something better, but basically we get the depth of a made-for-TV movie. Not bad, just shallow.

On the moral side, the movie is rather casual about relationships and takes a clearly 70's, "Hey, you're cute, let's screw" view of life.

The big positive is seeing an early Sam Elliott. But there isn't much else for those that aren't already attached to the movie or "the 70's scene." December 13, 2007

A classic of the 70's

"Lifeguard" is a special little film from the 70's,that found an audience on late 70's cable. It's great to finally get a DVD release (great-looking, although bare bones as usual with Paramount).

Sam Elliot plays Rick, who seems like a decent guy and lives the California beach lifestyle. He works on the beach as a lifeguard, drives a Corvette convertible, and scores with lots of chicks because he looks like the Marlboro man (this is the mid-70's of course). But he's in his 30's now (he looks in his 40's honestly, maybe it's all that sun), and doesn't want his lifestyle to change. Finally though, he must make a few life decisions, something he is not at all used to.

His dad gets on his case because he's still a lifeguard. An old friend offers him a job selling cars where he can double his money. And an old flame (Anne Archer) falls for him again, but wants him to upgrade his social status employment-wise.

What to do?

Rick must deal with all this, while keeping his eye on the beach, and coaching an apprentice (Parker Stevenson). Sometimes though, Rick seems like not such a nice guy. At the art gallery where his old flame works, as he was talking to her (interrupting her job), he screamed at a guy wanting his girl's attention concerning a sale. And after lecturing his apprentice about the evils of having sex with underage beach bunnies, Rick does just that with a very pretty young girl who has a crush on him. And Rick didn't need much prodding at all! But hey, Rick is still a good guy apparently.

The music is great and the feel is really special in this 70's classic that has slipped through the cracks. Definitely worth a viewing.


October 15, 2007

"ABSOLUTELY LOVE SAM IN LIFEGUARD"

THIS HAS TO BE ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOVIES OF ALL TIME. WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT IN 1976, I WAS IN MY TEENS, AND JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH SAM ELLIOTT. I'VE BEEN WATCHING HIS MOVIES EVER SINCE, BUT LIFEGUARD IS MY FAV. HOW COULD YOU NOT LOVE SAM IN THIS PIC,AT THE TIME,HE WAS EVERY GIRLS' McDREAMY GUY ~~& WOW THAT MUSTACHE** HE WAS SO GEORGOUS,& STILL IS TODAY. ALL I CAN SAY IS KATHERINE ROSS IS ONE LUCKY LADY!!! September 2, 2007

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