Just so...so bad

Better Late Then Never

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

If you're looking for high cinematic art in the vein of 'The Godfather' - then don't bother. But if you're interested in a forgotten 'time capsule' classic that really captures the vibe of sleepy 70's west coast beach life - this is the ticket.It's funny and dramatic and corny and sad. It's well paced and accurately portrays the insular bubble that we beach lifestylers live(d) in. It also provides an over-the-top example of 'the new kook in town' that will surely be subject to the harshness of the local gauntlet. The surfers are friggin' 70's prototypes to the max - even if you don't agree with them or like them. A guarded, immature bunch in our youth...Bonus: this movie somehow magically captures the pot-addled haze and vibe of a mid 70's California beach town. Not sure how they accomplished it - but it's the best representation on film that I have seen. For those not there - it was a special time. Kudos for showing the women running on a FOGGY morning beach, with surfers paddling out - like it is in reality as opposed to the typical 'always sunny afternoon'. Also, the surf movie scene: total authenticity circa mid-seventies! The surfing isn't that good - but it's an accurate portrayal of Cali's waves. At least they didn't add stock footage of Hawaiian waves - that's always lame!

Dennis Christopher of "Breaking Away" fame delivers a solid, engaging performance as T.T., a gawky, disenchanted, fresh out of high school adolescent hick from Chicago who comes to the cool California beaches to find women, contentment and excitement by becoming actively involved in the allegedly thrilling surfing lifestyle. Unfortunately, T.T. only discovers that the anomie and dissatisfaction he's trying to avoid in life are an intrinsic, albeit often ignored and unspoken part of the actually nothing terribly stirring surfing lifestyle.An appealingly off-beat seriocomic youthful rites of passage outing from -- and radical departure for -- American International Pictures, "California Dreaming" makes for a neat, incisive, slyly revisionist beach movie feature which refuses to mindlessly glorify the sport's empty hedonistic mentality; instead the film offers an illuminating expose of the drab, shallow, aimless workaday reality behind the great American myth of surfing while also tossing in some fine insights into love, growing up, responsibility, unfulfilled desires and unattainable, but still persistent dreams. Moreover, it's marvelously acted by a stand-out cast: the always delightful Seymour Cassel as Duke, the amiable, garrulous, aging volleyball playing beach bum bar owner who takes T.T. under his wing; the comely, golden-haired, very under-appreciated Glynnis O'Connor as Duke's somewhat snobby, but generally sweet daughter Corky, who wants T.T. to shuck surfing and dedicate himself to a more mature, useful occupation in life; Dorothy Tristan as Duke's still ardent and interested old flame Fay, the adorable Stacey ("Get Crazy," "Halloween III: Season of the Witch") Nelkin as vacuous, promiscuous beach bunny Marsha, and even a pre-"Charlie's Angels" Tanya Roberts as Stephanie, a stuck-up rich princess who can't get her unfaithful tube-blowing boyfriend to seriously commit to their relationship.Directed with trademark acuity, facility and sensitivity by the ever observant and eternally underrated John ("Bang the Drum Slowly," "Weeds") Hancock, with a sound, absorbing, fairly intricate and highly accurate script by Ned Wynn (who also co-stars as shiftless surfer dude Earl), lovely, sunny cinematography by Bobby Byrne, and a fun, breezy soundtrack (the folk-rock group America sing a few nice, catchy songs), this shamefully neglected and radiant gem qualifies as a charming, leisurely placed, often wryly amusing, sometimes dreamily (and genuinely) erotic, quite honest and cogent exploration of boredom and restlessness that benefits substantially from its funny, delicate, warm-hearted handling of its endearing assortment of everyday oddball characters. An utterly winsome and well-done little sleeper.

I saw this in the movie theater back in 1979 when I was in my early twenties. I remember being enchanted with the California surfing lifestyle... the chicks, the promiscuity, the absolute optimism. I emulated the cheating fun loving surfers, I fell in love with Marcia and Stephanie. I thought back then that Duke was a foolish old man trying to relive his glory days with his ancient over the hill ex-wife. I laughed at his pathetic attempts to hold on to his youth. I just got a vcr copy on ebay and watched it with my 10 year old daughter. She couldn't understand the tears I cried while watching Duke, such a young man now, with a vibrant, beautiful ex-wife - finally getting up the courage to grasp out for his life long-dream, coming so close - and yet, so far...Just another run of the mill surfing movie? I don't think so. The pity is that most movies don't move us the way this one does, and that with just a little creativity, they could. **** out of ****

I have just recently seen this movie for the first time in almost 20 years. Originally, the final credits rolled while we heard the Eagles signing their great version of California Dreaming. But the current version has some mindless, goofy music at that point. I find it unbelievable that the movie California Dreaming no longer is shown containing the song of the same name.