If someone told me a few years ago that I was capable of becoming addicted to a movie, I would have denied it. After seeing Murphy's Romance, it would not be hard to convince me of this weakness I seem to have for romance. Now the question is, "Am I addicted to romance or to Murphy's Romance?

The Players

Sally Field as Emma Moriety, a single mother who with her son is starting over in a small southwest town.

James Garner as Murphy Jones, a widower who is twice Ms. Moriety's age and owns the local drug store.

Corey Haim as Jake, Emma's son.

Brian Kerwin as Emma's ex-husband, a charming but lazy drifter.

The Story

Emma is a hard working mom whose expertise is horse training. She arrives in town and quickly sets up her ranch for business, with the help of Jake, her son.

We first see Murphy as Emma is distributing circulars advertising her business. Murphy agrees to let her put one of the circulars in his drug store window. They strike up a conversation and the viewer gets a small glimpse into the personality of Murphy.

Murphy is a long time resident and well respected business man in the community. He tells Emma about their little town and how mainstream it is. "We have marijuana in with the tomatoes and a man who dresses up in his wife's lingerie." "Well, not quite yet," quips Emma. "I've been called honey, missy and I think there was a 'little lady' in there somewhere." The romance begins in the mind of this fan, even though the characters don't yet realize it.

Their interest in each other starts to show in a scene at city hall where Sally Field (Emma) is applying for a business license and James Garner (Murphy) is paying $200.00 worth of parking tickets. As they observe each other in their daily routines, we can begin to see in their faces that perhaps they are looking at each other in more than a friendly way.

My Favorite Scene

Emma ends up in the hospital when a teen age kid runs her off the road while he is trying to get her to race him. As Murphy enters the hospital room, she is crying. The wisdom of maturity and the immaturity of young adulthood (thus, bringing to light the age difference) starts to become evident in their conversation (the present one and the many to come). However, Murphy shows his playfulness after taking her for a walk down the hall, when he informs her that except for one thing her life is looking pretty good. She asks him what the one thing is and as he walks out of the room, he tells her, "That hospital gown, it is open down the back."

The Ex-Husband

Upon her arrival at her ranch after leaving the hospital, Emma sees a motorcycle on her property. The viewer sees a pair of boots propped up on the porch railing and it looks as if the movie may take a turn to violence. That is the way I saw it and didn't want it as I felt it would ruin the mood. I was pleasantly surprised when Emma knew the person. You guessed it, her ex. They have a little catch up conversation. He and Jake become acquainted again and he ends up staying with them.

Murphy meets the ex-husband and there are some of the best scenes of the movie when they meet on the back porch to discuss Emma and Jake. Again Murphy's maturity won me over and Brian Kerwin as Bobby Jack, is wonderful in the part. He is cute and funny and we even get a glimpse of his bare behind in one of the scenes. He plays an excellent bum to Emma's excellent hard worker.

The Son

Cory Haim as Jake, their son, also does an excellent portrayal of a kid from a broken home. He helps his mother out by getting a job at Murphy's drug store. While renewing his relationship with his father, he also develops a close relationship with Murphy.

In Conclusion

Am I addicted to romance or to Murphy's Romance? Well, I am addicted to both. Because of Murphy's Romance, I have become addicted to romance. I have seen this film over and over and over. I still love it and get lost in the whole idea of love. The viewer watches the romance grow over time and up until the very end, Murphy displays that maturity is a definite attribute, a positive quality.

Murphy and Emma finally share that first kiss, much to the surprise of Emma, but not to the viewer.

This is a must see if your are an incurable romantic like me. Rent it this weekend and see it with a love interest or alone. Either way, it is well worth the time. The sound track by Carole King adds even more to the pleasure of this movie.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older
Special Effects: Well at least you can't see the strings