Baby It's You (1983)
4/10
Bits and pieces of it strike a chord, but Sayles directs with too heavy a hand...
14 August 2011
Director John Sayles also adapted this script (from Amy Robinson's story) about a youthful romance in the 1960s that takes several wrong turns. Vincent Spano's "Sheik" might have been a fun addition to any other nostalgic comedy-drama...strictly as a supporting character; forced into carrying most of the picture here, he overwhelms the proceedings, and Sayles is no help saturating the film with Spano's dumb-stud posturing and rude mouth. This not only pushes Rosanna Arquette away, but viewers as well. The period atmosphere is captured rather nicely, and Sayles is nimble in his dealings with the grown-ups of the piece (who are not painted in the usual broad strokes). However, "Baby It's You" is eventually too heavy as a comedy, with repetitive scenes and character-clashes awash in a kind of post-teenage sturm and drang that wears everybody down by the finish. *1/2 from ****
1 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed