MovieChat Forums > Charly (2002) Discussion > Cheesy, but somehow gets to me...

Cheesy, but somehow gets to me...

posted 21 years ago by drew_graham1
6 replies | jump to latest

Yes, I am LDS, and no, I do NOT read Jack Weyland's books (nor do I read any author's LDS "romance novels" for the obvious reason that they are just that). I didn't see Charly in the theater, but did have the chance to see it once it came to video. While Heather Beers was beyond noteworthy in the title role, I thought Jeremy Elliot (Sam) was at times insufferable. He had a couple of real, emotional moments, but for the most part, I found his performance in The Testaments far superior. I thought the script was a LITTLE bit lacking, and the story was cheesy at best.

My point is that despite the flaws I've mentioned above, this movie somehow hit me. The ending truly was predictable, but when it came, it still struck me pretty hard. Truth be told, there were a couple moments when I teared up. The message, while seemingly incomplete, was true and wholesome, and for that, I think it's a more admirable endeavor than some other LDS moviemaking ventures.

Did anyone else have a similar (or DISsimilar) experience?

[–] Sugar_Sprite 20 years ago

I do know what you're saying. Some parts were a little cheesy. And I totally agree with you on the acting. Heather Beers was great for a newcomer, but Jeremy Elliot was MUCH better (and cuter) in ''Testaments''. When he screamed, ''All I'm asking is for one--lousy--little--MIRACLE!'' and then crumples, sobbing, onto the floor, I actually had to stifle my laughter. I know, I'm mean.

[–] im_my_own_alter_ego 19 years ago

I agree. the message was good, but the delivery was cheesy. I'm LDS too, and I thought the way Sam acted was unreasonably rash. I didn't like him at all. At times the movie got far too sappy. I definitely saw the ending coming, too. Not only b/c people told me but the sub-heading "Real Love Stories Have No Ending." People would say it's sadder than "A Walk To Remember". I don't think it is, b/c they've been married for eternity and Jamie and Landon weren't.

But anyway, overall it's the message that really matters. It was... OK.

[–] obsessedchikee 18 years ago

I will admit that I cried several times, but the catalyst for this was usually Heather Beers. For example, the scene where she's sitting with her baby and trying to get him to say "mommy" was beautiful, as she begged the baby to remember her. I told my (at the time pregnant) sister to watch it and I don't think she'll forgive me for it, after that scene. I'm LDS as well, and though I cried more in this, I agree that the end of Walk to Remember is said because they can have no concept of eternity.

[–] UltimateJoolsFan 18 years ago

I do sob quite a bit when I watched this movie at a YW's activity. So did many of the other girls. And the YM were playing basketball outside. I think what Charly says at the end though is really fitting and brings it some kind of closure, even though it's not the end end. 'The ride is not over yet, Utah. I'll save your place in line.' It really brings it home to me, where as A Walk to Remember just has a, I'm getting on with life, I've got a job, I miss her, I'm sad, ending to it. Actually I do feel sorry for the characters at the wedding, and she's taking that "walk" down the aisle, knowing that it won't be forever, and that they've just got a year or so. I do feel sorry for them.

"It's not appropiate for royalty to jingle"

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] geode 17 years ago

Unreasonably rash? How is he supposed to act when he finds out that Charly was a slut? Should he have been happy?

Charly was not a slut. She didn't qualify for this term either at the time Sam threw his snit fit or in the past. She had lived with a guy that she was thinking about marrying. Although not up to the standards of the LDS church she hardly qualified as being sexually promiscuous. But in being baptised she has changing and deaprting from her past, and any past indescretions were no longer part of her. Sam was completely wrong. However in his defense Mormons are often taught just as he seemed to be. Teachers often used to tell young women in the church that good Momon men would not want "used chewing gum"....my own bishop gave a talk to my priest's quorum about not getting involved with a girl who wasn't a virgin. I know where Sam is supposed to be coming from, but he was being a class A jerk, with the help of his Mormon upbringing. Notice however how his very Mormon mother also thought he was being a jerk ?

Oh Lord, you gave them eyes but they cannot see...