Oliver’s Story ** (1978, Ryan O’Neal, Candice Bergen, Nicola Pagett, Ray Milland) – Classic Movie Review 9773

The 1978 Oliver’s Story is the follow-on to the 1970 smash hit Love Story, with Ryan O’Neal back as love-struck Oliver Barrett.

Co-screenwriter/ director John Korty’s 1978 romantic drama sequel Oliver’s Story is the largely unwise but well-heeled follow-on to the 1970 smash hit Love Story, in which love-struck Oliver Barrett (Ryan O’Neal) emerges 18 months on from mourning the tragic fate of his beloved Jennifer ‘Jenny’ (Ali MacGraw) in the first film, in order to romance an even richer and more desirable girlfriend than before, pretty heiress Marcie (Candice Bergen).

Novel author and co-screenwriter Erich Segal’s material is impressively squelchy, though the nervous style of oddball director Korty occasionally provides a sharper edge and the performances of a capable cast are entirely professional and pleasant.

Ray Milland (as Oliver’s old dad, Mr Barrett) returns with O’Neal from the original. Edward Binns takes over from John Marley as Jenny’s father, Phil Cavilleri.

Also in the cast are Nicola Pagett, Swoosie Kurtz, Charles Haid, Kenneth McMillan, Josef Sommer, Sully Boyar, Meg Mundy, Benson Fong, Beatrice Winde, Sol Schwade, Frank Toste, and Cynthia McPherson.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9773

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