Although over 40 years old, Love Story could very well be the defining story of our time. Madly in love Oliver and Jenny, stand by each other despite all odds. Such is their love story that even death can’t do them apart.
Timeless love
Rich boy meets poor girl at University. They fall in love, marry, hope to raise a family. That’s when they discover she’s terminally ill, and treatment will be pointless. The story is revealed as a flashback.
The celebration of their love touches the heart. Oliver (Ryan O’Neal) completely relinquishes his relationship with his father when he refuses to accept a poor girl Jenny (Ali McGraw) into their aristocratic family.
They start a life of their own, independent of his father’s financial support. It is a simple and austere existence, so that Oliver can finish law school. But the love they share makes these daily struggles seem insignificant. They revel in simple joys and get by on the strength of their love.
That even death can’t tear apart
When Jenny’s illness is discovered, the thought of the unavoidable separation is unbearable.
In a poignant scene, Jenny comforts Oliver that he will go on without her, and that he should not blame himself for what has happened, as “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”
Oliver’s opening words which are replayed at the end, echo in one’s mind:
“What can you say about a 25-year old girl who died? That she was beautiful and brilliant. That she loved Mozart and Bach. The Beatles. And me.”
Like the movie, the music track is tender, even haunting … don’t miss it!
Author
Written by Manjari Chandrashekar, a Communications student at Mount Carmel College, Bangalore.
More from this series
| Title | About the article |
|---|---|
| Letters To God | Inspired by a true story, ‘Letters to God’ is a touching and intimate story about the galvanizing effect one child’s belief can have on his family, friends and community. |
| Wit | ‘Wit’ is a heart warming movie which shows a spirited fight against the debilitating illness called cancer. |
| My Life Without Me | ‘My Life Without Me’ shows us how vulnerable we can be and how dramatically things can change when we take control of our lives. |
| Ikiru | ‘Ikiru’ inspires us to keep our hopes alive and not fret over impending death and potential loss. |
| Dying Young | ‘Dying Young’ has a positive message – that there is always hope no matter what the situation is, provided you have the willingness and thirst to live life and not give up. |
| Life As A House | ‘Life as a House’ has an important lesson for us: It is never too late to right the wrongs of the past and rebuild that which has been left derelict – whether it is a home, a habit or a relationship. |
| Terms Of Endearment | ‘Terms of Endearment’ shows what cancer can do to relationships, the hardships and the mends and everything in between. |
| Love Story | Although now 40 years old, ‘Love Story’ could very well be the defining story of our time. |
| Anand | Despite knowing full well that he is going to die in a few months, ‘Anand’ is ever-smiling and tries to make people around him happy, because he believes in making new friends and enjoying life to the fullest. |
| The Bucket List | ‘The Bucket List’ is a comedy–drama which traces the journey of two terminally ill cancer patients and how they fulfill all their unfulfilled wishes in a few short months. |
| Brian’s Song | The main message of ‘Brian’s Song’ is to look for the brighter side of everything, which carries us through the worst storms and to appreciate true friendship as something invaluable and beautiful |
