Endless Love (1981)

She is 15. He is 17. The love every parent fears.

Endless Love movie storyline. In suburban Chicago, teenagers Jade Butterfield and David Axelrod fall in love after they are introduced by Jade’s brother Keith. Jade’s family is known in their community for a bohemian lifestyle, allowing them to develop an all-consuming and passionate relationship; including allowing the two to have sex in Jade’s bedroom. In contrast to the openness of her family, David’s home life is dull; his parents are wealthy liberal political activists who have little interest in their son’s life.

One night, Jade’s mother Ann sneaks downstairs, and upon seeing Jade and David make love by the fireplace, starts living through them vicariously. However, Jade’s father Hugh watches the couple with increasing unease. Jade’s nightly trysts begin negatively impacting her grades and her ability to sleep. She attempts to steal one of her father’s prescription sleeping pills but is caught in the act. This is the last straw for Hugh and he insists David stop seeing Jade until the end of the school term in 30 days. Although David initially causes a scene, Ann gently coaxes him into agreeing, telling him not to let Hugh “do something he’ll regret”.

Back at school, David’s friend Billy tells him that when he was eight years old, he tried burning a pile of newspapers and after he became scared, put the fire out, only to find his parents think he was a hero for saving the house from burning. Inspired by this story, David starts a fire on the Butterfields’ front porch and walks away briefly but by the time he returns, the flame has spread too far. He rushes to warn the family but he is too late; the entire house is lost.

Endless Love is a 1981 American romantic drama film based on Scott Spencer’s 1979 novel of the same name. The film is directed by Franco Zeffirelli, and stars Brooke Shields and Martin Hewitt. The screenplay was written by Judith Rascoe. The original music score was composed by Jonathan Tunick.

The film was released in July 1981 and received negative reviews, with critics comparing it unfavorably to the novel. Spencer disliked it, believing the filmmakers to have missed the point of the book which showcased the dangers of obsessive love.

The film was a box-office success, and its theme song, performed by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, also called “Endless Love”, became a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It spent nine weeks at #1 and received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for “Best Original Song”, along with five Grammy Award nominations. The film is also notable for being the film debut of Tom Cruise in a minor role.

Directed by: Franco Zeffirelli
Starring: Brooke Shields, Martin Hewitt, Shirley Knight, Don Murray, Richard Kiley, Beatrice Straight, James Spader, Penelope Milford, Ian Ziering, Jeffrey Marcus, Leon B. Stevens
Screenplay by: Judith Rascoe
Production Design by: Ed Wittstein
Cinematography by: David Watkin
Film Editing by: Michael J. Sheridan
Costume Design by: Kristi Zea
Set Decoration by: Alan Hicks
Art Direction by: Edward Pisoni
Music by: Jonathan Tunick
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Release Date: July 17, 1981