My First Love (1988 TV Movie)
6/10
Restrained Bea Arthur offering gives this film dimension.
3 October 2002
Well worth a look for Bea Arthur fans, it's unlikely to win her any new ones. However I found Miss Arthur's overall performance to give the plot a depth that would have been lost otherwise. Filmed specifically for TV, it does come across as hurried and poorly developed and this is where it spoils. Also Joan Van Ark's "Claire" is little more than irritating.

Nicely dealing with a late-in-life love affair, the two main characters (Jean and Sam) rekindle their feelings with one another yet they both have obstacle's of their own to deal with first. Jean must put to rest her widowhood and Sam must set himself free from his fear of ageing and/or death. There are some comical moments that keep this alive and some of the supporting actors offer some interesting banter.

However it's saving grace is a rare appearance on film of Miss Bea Arthur, something to keep and cherish, offering us a subtle and restrained performance that gives this the depth that it needs. Miss Arthur is always going to be an American "First Love" and I recommend that this will keep you entertained.
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