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Seven Minutes in Heaven Movie Review

Seven Minutes in Heaven

PG-13
Being in love is more than...
Seven Minutes in Heaven Picture

Starring

Jennifer Connelly, Byron Thames, Maddie Corman, Alan Boyce

Michael Zaslow, Polly Draper, Marshall Bell, Billy Wirth, Terry Kinney, Spalding Gray, Michael Higgins, Denny Dillon, Lauren Holly Update Cast

Early Appearances

See Lauren Holly before they were famous!


Editor Nick
'Seven Minutes In Heaven' is a party game created by teenagers from Cincinnati, Ohio back in the 50's. The way it is played: Names of guests are written on pieces of paper.. the names are separated into two bowls.. one for guys and one for girls.. the party host draws a name from each bowl.. the two guests are then put in a closet together for seven minutes with the hope that they will use that time to makeout.. when the seven minutes end, the host says "Time's up" and opens the closet.. then the two guests from the closet have to truthfully answer questions about what happened in their Seven Minutes In Heaven. The game is repeated until everyone gets a chance to play.

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Review

Seven Minutes in Heaven is one of those movies no one remembers at the time of its theatrical release, but seems to have gained new life through repeated airings on HBO through out the late 80s and early 90s.

At least, that’s where I remember it from.

Now that it’s harder and harder to find on Blockbuster shelves, people seem to have forgotten about it altogether. That’s too bad since it’s really one of my favorite childhood memories and actually worth watching when John Hughes gets to be overplayed and your 80s-teen-melodrama-thirst just needs to be quenched.

Unfortunately, the title seems a little out of place; there are really no raucous parties or closet-kissing in the movie. The film actually plays out like a much better written and less moralistic after-school special.

The movie is centered on a trio of friends, good-girl and future politician Natalie Becker (played very nicely by now Oscar-respected actress Jennifer Connelly, who would go on to star in "Labyrinth"), crazy and can-we-say-horny Polly Franklin (Maddie Corman) and the misguided and inexperienced Jeff Moran (played by Byron Thames who is really reminiscent of a 80s Jake Gyllenhaal). All three are fifteen year olds struggling with hormones, high school rumors, dysfunctional families and each other’s evolving friendships.

In the movie, Natalie’s father is leaving town and the house to his supposed trustworthy daughter who has also been accepted to go on an once-in-a-lifetime fieldtrip to Washington D.C. with her class. Natalie is obviously an only child and motherless (that perfect goodie goodie cliché) and in love with older classmate Casey who is only into her for her classic looks and the possibility of “scoring.”

Meanwhile, Jeff has just had a falling out with his mother and overbearing stepfather. He persuades Natalie to let him stay with her until he can figure out what to do. Predictably, this causes numerous rumors at school and one of the funniest scenes in the movie—when both Natalie and Jeff are called into the school counselor’s office and asked to interpret black and white photographs.

Their other friend, poor and extremely misguided Polly falls in love with fictional pro baseball player and underwear model Zoo Knudsen (Billy Wirth), not knowing that Jeff is secretly into her. After a mix-up at a lingerie store (um, one of the most awkward and cheesy moments in teen movie history), Polly ends up making out with Knudsen in his car and unfortunately, falling in love. This leads to a trip to NY where surprisingly Polly makes it safely and still virginal back to Ohio.

By the end of the film, all three storylines with their petty but very realistically teenage problems have been somewhat resolved (ok, maybe the whole Zoo Knudsen scenario wasn’t all that realistic :). The movie ends on a high, albeit cheesy, note as Natalie, Polly and Jeff roller-skate off into the horizon to the sound of some nonsensical, but catchy pop song.

What more could you want from an 80s teen romance???

Author: Michele LeeUpdate This Review

Verdict

If you expect this film to be of Oscar-caliber or extremely sexual like other teen movies like Fast Times or even Sixteen Candles, you will have been sadly misguided and confused. But the movie is worth seeing if you just can’t get enough of 80s teen romance or love the work of Jennifer Connelly.

At times, the acting is a bit melodramatic, the storyline is weak and oversimplified, and the dialogue is corny but there are some great moments and the movie serves as a time capsule for 80s adolescent life. Just don’t watch it for great cinematic effects or poignant, brilliant music—you’ll be extremely disappointed.

I give this movie a 7 out of 10 for its refreshing, non-John Hughes quality (though he is a great director!).

Cute love story and clean enough to watch with mostly all ages present. Plus, the three main actors do their generation proud.
Overall weak plot and corny moments.

Rewind Rating

7/10

The Movie Data

Key Crew

Director: Linda Feferman
Writer: Jane Bernstein, Linda Feferman
Producers: Fred Roos, Mark Silverman
Locations Manager: Fred Roos, Mark Silverman


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Data

Release Date: 09 May 1985
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Studio: Warner Bros.
Production: Fifteen, Warner Bros. Pictures, Zoetrope Studios
Genre: Romantic Comedy


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The Movie Trailer
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1985 Warner Bros.
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