Sooner or Later (1979)

When 13-year-old Jessie (Denise Miller) goes to the Eddie Nova Guitar Institute, she's stunned to discover her teacher is Michael (Rex Smith), a 17-year-old aspiring local musician she'd just seen play with his rock band at the local shopping mall--and with whom she was instantly smitten. Through the grace of makeup, Jessie can pass for 16, and she tells Michael that's her age when he gives her a ride home from class one week. They start to flirt. When Michael invites her to a band rehearsal, they kiss for the first time; when he invites her to a drive-in movie, things start moving just a little too fast, and Jessie has to quickly decide whether or not to confess. Sooner or Later is full of 1970s schmaltz--Michael's songs sound like a cross between Electric Light Orchestra and the Starland Vocal Band--but it's also an extremely well written and deftly acted coming-of-age story. Both leads are excellent and the supporting cast is full of smart character actors: Judd Hirsch, Barbara Feldon (better known as "99" on Get Smart!), and Lynn Redgrave. What could be an overdone teen potboiler is given humor and realism; it treats young love seriously but with perspective, and without a trace of condescension. A truly charming and enjoyable film. --Bret Fetzer Amazon.com

Love, Love, Love this movie!!

I first watched this movie when I was a teenager and I could so relate to the feelings and emotions that young Jessie had. She was falling for someone older than her and he didn't feel the same way. Watching this movie as an adult, I realize that it's a bit cheesy but still a really great movie. I could still feel some of those same emotions that I felt way back when, but at least now, I can laugh at myself. This movie is a great "coming of age" movie. My husband recently watched this movie with me and he thought it was cute too. The music in this movie is also really great. I'd recommend this movie for anyone in the teens and up. It's a fairly clean movie. July 31, 2008

I'm 13 all over again

My brother saw this movie and told me I would like it, so I watched it and he was right. That was over 25 years ago. One day recently I was thinking about a movie I saw with a young girl learning to play a guitar. So, not remembering the name of the movie after all these years, I googled "young girl learning to play guitar". A whole list of movies came up, and this was one of them. I have watched this movie at least 10 time since my order came in. I love it, the music the gorgeous Rex Smith. Took me back to the good old days. It's a must see!!!!! July 2, 2008

Sooner Or Later

I had seen this movie when I was a kid and LOVE it. I had such a crush on Rex Smith after seeing this movie. I had rented it for a movie night with my girlfriends and we laughed at how funny it was and remembered how we thought it was the best movie ever. It is a good movie to add to my DVD collection April 23, 2008

Blast from the past

I hadn't seen this movie since it first came out - it brought back many memories for me. Enjoy the retro clothing and music in this classic love story! April 10, 2008

Great movie!!

I fell in love with this movie 30 years ago, found it here, and fell in love all over again. I have to put this in my top 5 movies of all time. if I were to be stranded on an island with 5 movies this would be one of them. If you remember your first love and how it felt, this will remind you of the feeling. Rex Smith is his gorgeous self and Denise Miller is the average young girl with first love on her mind. 30 years has taken away nothing from this film, although being reminded of how we dressed then sure has its downside, HA HA March 31, 2008

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