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For Keeps?
A screenplay with a few surprises, emotionally charged direction, and a solid cast make the 1988 romantic comedy-drama For Keeps? an entertaining story that really puts the viewer behind the lead characters, demanding that they get what we want for them.
Darcy (Molly Ringwald) and Stan (Randall Batinkoff) are high school seniors who are planning a long distance romance while they plan going to college on opposite coasts where Darcy plans to study journalism and Stan wants to study architecture. Unfortunately, Darcy and Stan's plans fall apart when, after six sexual encounters, Darcy becomes pregnant. Darcy's single mother wants her to have an abortion and Stan's parents want her to give the baby up for adoption, but Darcy and Stan want to raise the baby themselves.
The intelligent and mature screenplay by former SNL regular Tim Kazurinsky and Denise DeClue have provided what initially appears to be a by-the-numbers story of teenage pregnancy that we've seen a million times, but this one goes to several places this reviewer did not see coming. Shock was my reaction to the way Darcy and Stan's families turn their backs on them and once they get married, they are completely offscreen for a healthy chunk of the running time. Was also impressed with the story addressing post partum depression when, after the birth of their daughter, Darcy doesn't want to touch her. That was plot twist I did not see coming up at all that was woven seamlessly into the more obvious financial problems that arise for the couple, giving a good chunk of this film a lot more depth than I expected.
The screenplay is a little vague about when the film takes place. Taking into account, costuming, music, and most importantly. characters' attitudes about male and female roles in society, I would say it takes place in the 50's. It was confirmed for me when Stan flipped out the first time Darcy suggested that she get a job until the baby was born.
John G. Alvidesn, who won a Best Director Oscar for Rocky, was in the director's chair and served as film editor for this film as well. Alvidsen really brings us into the heats and minds of these characters and creates some genuinely cringe-worthy scenes throughout. That moment at the Thanksgiving dinner table where the news first comes to fruition is fraught with tension and heartbreaking was the only way to describe watching Stan stepping up for his daughter because her mother didn't want to touch her. The manipulative interference from Darcy and Stan's parents brought a lot of tension to the story as well.
Molly Ringwald brings a maturity to Darcy that we don't see coming and can we talk about this Randall Batinkoff's dazzling film debut in the role of Stan? Batinkoff is undeniably charismatic in this role and has continued to rack up an impressive resume through the years, but for some reason, no one knows who this guy is and that's a shame, because this guy commands the screen here. Also have to give a shout out to Miriam Flynn, best known for playing Catherine in the Vacation franchise, who registers in the really unlikable role of Darcy's mother. This movie was a pleasant surprise that got by a lot of people and the only thing that confuses me is the question mark at the end of the title.
A screenplay with a few surprises, emotionally charged direction, and a solid cast make the 1988 romantic comedy-drama For Keeps? an entertaining story that really puts the viewer behind the lead characters, demanding that they get what we want for them.
Darcy (Molly Ringwald) and Stan (Randall Batinkoff) are high school seniors who are planning a long distance romance while they plan going to college on opposite coasts where Darcy plans to study journalism and Stan wants to study architecture. Unfortunately, Darcy and Stan's plans fall apart when, after six sexual encounters, Darcy becomes pregnant. Darcy's single mother wants her to have an abortion and Stan's parents want her to give the baby up for adoption, but Darcy and Stan want to raise the baby themselves.
The intelligent and mature screenplay by former SNL regular Tim Kazurinsky and Denise DeClue have provided what initially appears to be a by-the-numbers story of teenage pregnancy that we've seen a million times, but this one goes to several places this reviewer did not see coming. Shock was my reaction to the way Darcy and Stan's families turn their backs on them and once they get married, they are completely offscreen for a healthy chunk of the running time. Was also impressed with the story addressing post partum depression when, after the birth of their daughter, Darcy doesn't want to touch her. That was plot twist I did not see coming up at all that was woven seamlessly into the more obvious financial problems that arise for the couple, giving a good chunk of this film a lot more depth than I expected.
The screenplay is a little vague about when the film takes place. Taking into account, costuming, music, and most importantly. characters' attitudes about male and female roles in society, I would say it takes place in the 50's. It was confirmed for me when Stan flipped out the first time Darcy suggested that she get a job until the baby was born.
John G. Alvidesn, who won a Best Director Oscar for Rocky, was in the director's chair and served as film editor for this film as well. Alvidsen really brings us into the heats and minds of these characters and creates some genuinely cringe-worthy scenes throughout. That moment at the Thanksgiving dinner table where the news first comes to fruition is fraught with tension and heartbreaking was the only way to describe watching Stan stepping up for his daughter because her mother didn't want to touch her. The manipulative interference from Darcy and Stan's parents brought a lot of tension to the story as well.
Molly Ringwald brings a maturity to Darcy that we don't see coming and can we talk about this Randall Batinkoff's dazzling film debut in the role of Stan? Batinkoff is undeniably charismatic in this role and has continued to rack up an impressive resume through the years, but for some reason, no one knows who this guy is and that's a shame, because this guy commands the screen here. Also have to give a shout out to Miriam Flynn, best known for playing Catherine in the Vacation franchise, who registers in the really unlikable role of Darcy's mother. This movie was a pleasant surprise that got by a lot of people and the only thing that confuses me is the question mark at the end of the title.