Customer Reviews

Lifeguard

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With the approach of his fifteen year high school reunion and the possibilty of re-connecting with his teenage sweetheart (Anne Archer), an aging lifeguard (Sam Elliot) re-examines his career choice and single lifestyle.

This is my favorite Sam Elliot role and conversely probably his least well known. It's one of those perfect little gems where everything seems to work to perfection. Much like the main character, Lifeguard Rick, the viewer subtly touches on so many different emotions during this film that it's hard to define exactly what you're experiencing at any given time. But in the end you are left with a quiet contentment, an understanding and acceptance of who you are and what is the right choice for yourself no matter what the mainstream opinion might be.

Paul Williams' song "Time and Tide" was removed from the soundtrack when this movie hit the T.V. screen. I hope it has been restored on the DVD release, it just wouldn't be the same movie without it.

Update 06/22/05: The DVD came out yesterday. I bought it and watched last night. All is well, the song is back. Thanks Paramount!

It's amazing to me which films endure and which don't. After 40 years, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" looks like a relic from another era, and it's considered an all-time classic. Yet 30 years after it's release, Daniel Petrie's minor 1976 film "Lifeguard" looks as good now as it did upon its release, and remains as timely and vital as ever, even though noone would consider it a classic of its era.

Actually, on the big screen, "Lifeguard" resembled a glorified TV movie. On TV, however, it looks great, especially in this wonderful widescreen transfer. And it serves as a reminder that sometimes small, heartfelt films with modest aspirations can endure and be effective long after the same era's pretentious and overblown message pictures. "Lifeguard" could be described as "Baywatch" with brains, but its much more than that. How wonderful it is to see a movie set in Southern California and on the beach where the beachgoers look like real people and not surgically-altered superbabes. And although all of the featured lifeguards are men, you get the idea if they hired a woman, she'd look like Alexandra Paul and not Pamela Anderson. Even the women star Sam Elliott gets involved with look like real, average women--future Oscar nominees Kathleen Quinlan and Anne Archer chief among them. Believe me, it's a real treat to watch normal people onscreen for a change.

Elliott stars as Rick, a career lifeguard who is beginning another summer on the beach, with a new assistant/trainee (Parker Stevenson). He befriends a lonely teenager (Quinlan) who has just moved to L.A. from San Diego (and who has an obvious crush on him), has a few one-night stands and meets his parents for dinner, whereas his father lets him know he's tired of his son wasting his life at the beach. This sends him into an early mid-life crisis, especially when an old high school friend who owns a Porsche dealership offers him a "respectable" job selling cars. But it's not until he attends his 15-year high school reunion and reunites with his divorced high school flame Cathy (Archer) that he begins to seriously consider hanging up his trunks for good, especially when Cathy lets him know her interest depends on it. So, obviously, Rick has some serious thinking to do: give up the job he loves for the respectability of a job he doesn't. It's a simple story, but as most simple stories do, it resonates still.

"Lifeguard" is a sweet, even funny movie that will obviously appeal to women, but is also a painless date film. The entire cast is good, with Elliott the obvious standout. Filmed before he matured into the grizzled, tough cop/cowboy/military type he now excels at, it's refreshing to see him play such a regular, flawed guy. My only problem with his character is that he is so level-headed, a decision he makes involving his relationship with Quinlan's character seems completely out of character and even more stupid than it is. Maybe it's because today's morality is so much different than it was then. Either way, it's a jolt. Also, Quinlan is typically wonderful, and Stevenson offers able support as the rookie and Rick's sounding board. Archer, although second-billed, doesn't make her entrance until the second half of the film and then has barely ten minutes screen time. She's professional as always.

The photography and look of the film still look great so many years later, with none of the swimwear or fashions seemingly out-of-date, compared to other eras. And, yes, the song "Time and Tide" by Paul Williams, which was cut out of the TV prints, makes a welcome return, as so many others have noted.

In all, **** (out of *****) for "Lifeguard". Unfortunately, this is a typical no-frills, no-extras presentation from Paramount DVD. But at least they continue to present these old gems in widescreen, so thanks for that.

"LIFEGUARD" is one of the freshest, most poignant studies of REAL choices in REAL life I have ever seen in a Hollywood film. The film's topic transcends it's age. I have seen it many times during it's 23 year history (including it's debut) and remain convinced Sam Elliot's portrayal of Rick Carlson, an aging California ocean-lifeguard, is superb! - Daniel Petrie couldn't have found a better leading male roll. There is a 'mystery' to Rick which Elliot portrays sublimbly and expertly. Securely caught in the net of indecision between 'doing what he wants' and 'wanting what everyone else wants him to do', he sits on the fence 'playing the game' with all the emotional ignobilities a 'hunk' has to contend with while making a serious effort to find his own priorities in life -- only Sam Elliot could have captured the 'subtle' intensity of indecision in Rick's character.

The production gave Anne Archer (his Hi-school beau) and Kathleen Quinlan (his under-age beach lover) a huge step-up in their movie careers - and they were excellent in the film. Even Sharon Weber's roll as Rick's 'Stewie' was a dash of ingenuity - Weber was totally believable and had the talent to make 'big-time money' in her all-too-short career -- another Hollywood 'should-have-been'.

I've always enjoyed immensely watching Sam Elliot on the big screen - he's always had a "Gabel-ian presence" (when he talks, you listen!). I only wish he'd had more 'film exposure' in his early career. He continues to chose wisely his characters, even in B-grade films, and still has an on-screen magnetism unmatched by many of today's shallower, much-ballyhooed male performers (including Hanks, Willis and Gibson) - imagine Elliot in Tom Selleck's starring roll as MAGNUM, PI!! (...no reflection on Tom Selleck's magnetism intended - I love the guy! - in fact Selleck and Elliot have had, arguably, the most magnetic appeal of any duel-male performance roll on the silver screen).

LIFEGUARD is one of those 'quiet' little films that usually slips through the cracks of big-time promotion. But it's 'essence' remains quality study for 21st century high-schoolers and college grads (male and female, alike). In fact, having 'been there' as a lifeguard myself (and only 2 months Elliot's junior), I find 'me' wondering whether I made the right choice as a systems analyst for a world-class missile-producing company -- it pays 'real good', but the most, and deepest, satisfaction I get out of life is still swimming in the ocean and riding my Harley. Maybe I should have stayed a professional 'life-saver' -- or become a licensed motorcycle mechanic. At least I'd be where the 'real money' is - job (and life) satisfaction.

Hooray to films like LIFEGUARD - they often accurately portray steps required by all of us in our mostly 'wimpy' efforts at life-making decisions. At least 'Rick' made his 'right choice' early in life and, ultimatley, had the guts to stick it out - big paycheck or not.

How many of us in today's world, particularly 'baby-boomers' such as myself, have the intestinal fortitude to 'listen to our hearts' as 'Rick' did and chose a profession which keenly describes and fulfills OUR deepest desires???....huh?....how many???

'Sincerely' Bob Shank, Jr. - former lifeguard (LOVED it!) Sr. Information Systems Analyst - (not thrilled) Tucson, Arizona

This movie was a very good film indeed.Watch sam elliot star as a man in his early 30's going thru an early mid-life crisis,trying to decide whether he should finally "so called" grow up and get a real job or stay at a job he truly loves.This film really moved me and i am truly happy of how this movie ended!Buy this video while you still can.

A long-awaited DVD choice, the launching of Sam Elliott, Kathleen Quinlan, Anne Archer and Parker Stevenson shin in one of the greatest B movies. On the surface, it anticipates "Jaws," yet was overshadowed by "Summer of '42." However, this "teen film" was very adult. Sam Elliott, as the inveterate lifeguard-jock, has the opportunity to move up or drift, sell-out or join. With all the temptations, he escapes with self-respect from tempting entanglements. His choices are contemporary, yet his decency and manliness do not go out with the tide at the finish. Anne Archer was never more lovelier as the sexy, vulnerable, willing single-mom.Kathleen Quinlan plays a perfect life-guard naive groupie to a tease. This is an unforgettable time capsule of the post-hippie,unhurried times. Peopld should see this film about individuals who thought about actions and weighed situations before committing themselves to regret, before cell phones and internet browsing.This is a movie that could beg for an equally mature follow-up. People forget "Last Summer," but are alwsys haunted by "Lifeguard."

I saw this movie when it was originally released in theatres and have seen it numerous times since. It is a great thought provoking movie whereby it deals with an issue that still applies in the 90's. Should a person, if given the opportunity, have a career that does not offer much in the way of money but is thoroughly a pleasure to do or should he/she make a lot of money and be miserable? What better way to ponder that thought than with a movie that has relaxing beach scenes and music and stars Sam Elliott looking his best in this movie.

If you consider yourself a movie fan then Lifeguard is a must see. Sam Elliot's performance as Lifeguard Rick Carlson is vintage Elliot. This performance, and his perfect performance in Mask as Garr, make Elliot one of the best actors in the past 30 years. It takes place on the beaches of LA so Elliot is tan and in the best physical shape of his career. Elliot battles the pressures of the working world, while juggling several women. It has the beach, a great love story, and of course Elliot. So if you even somewhat like movies Lifeguard is for you!

I just took this movie off the shelf and viewed it again after a few years. The message still rings true and the storyline is still poignant and real. Sam Elliott is great in this movie as are the supporting actors. The beach scenes are fantastic and the "to thine own self be true" theme resonates long after the movie is over. I only wish the writers would have resolved Rick's relationship with his old high school flame. But I guess we can all imagine our own view of the ending. Buy it!

I, too, loved the movie when I first saw it during the Summer of '76! More than 25 years later, it's still a great favorite! "Lifeguard Rick" can rescue me anytime!

I had the pleasure of being involved with the production of this movie. I worked for Ted Mann at the time this movie was being made. I had the pleasure of meeting Sam in person on many occasions when he would come into the office as well some of the other memebers of the movie. I have the orginal script as well and even a charaters name was changed to mine!

I have seen this movie many times and besides the personal tone of it, I think it is so entertaining and the cast did a fantistic job. We can all relate to this movie in some way, growing older, being young, family pressure and being in love.

I highly recommend Lifeguard to everyone!