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Book of Love (1990)

Director: Robert Shaye

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From Time Out Film Guide

Adapted by William Kotzwinkle from his novel Jack in the Box, this tale of young lust in the '50s utilises all the usual period memorabilia: good-looking cars, better-looking hairstyles, psychotically uptight parents, and the obligatory Greatest Hits soundtrack. Against this formulaic backdrop, Shaye offers vignettes of hyper-hormonal teen torment, from whackin' off in class to being buggered with a candle on a Merry Ranger camp outing. 'I suppose it's time for another dick-measuring contest,' opines one poor sap when all other forms of entertainment seem exhausted. Unlike so many first-fumbling '50s movies, however, this one tempers its scrotal obsessions with a sense of naive wide-eyed delight, for which credit is largely due to the fresh-faced cast (Chris Young in particular). Hardly American Graffiti, but way above the inanities of Lemon Popsicle.

Author: MK 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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Cast & crew

Director: Robert Shaye

Producer: Rachel Talalay

Cast: Chris Young, Keith Coogan, Josie Bissett, Tricia Lee Fisher, Danny Nucci, John Cameron Mitchell, Michael McKean, Aeryk Egan full cast

Genre(s): Comedy

Duration: 87 mins


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