Endless Love (Film 1981)

Endless Love is a 1981 American romantic drama film directed by Franco Zeffirelli, and starring Brooke Shields, Martin Hewitt, Shirley Knight, Don Murray, Richard Kiley, Penelope Milford and Beatrice Straight. It also marked Tom Cruise's film debut.

Based on the 1979 Scott Spencer novel of the same name, the screenplay was written by Judith Rascoe. The original music score was composed by Jonathan Tunick. Although the novel is set in the summer of 1969, the movie transports the action to the early 1980s. The film also discards the non-chronological structure of the novel and tells all the events in chronological sequence.

Critics compared the film unfavorably to the novel, which showcased the dangers of obsessive love.

Despite the poor reviews, its eponymous theme song, performed by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, became a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song spent nine weeks at #1 and received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for "Best Original Song", along with five Grammy Award nominations.

Endless Love is based on Scott Spencer's 1979 novel of the same name. The film is directed by Franco Zeffirelli and written by Judith Rascoe. The film stars Brooke Shields and Martin Hewitt in the two leading roles. It is also the film debut of Hewitt, Tom Cruise, Jami Gertz, Jeff Marcus and Ian Ziering. Principal photography began on September 22, 1980 on location in Chicago, New York City and Long Island and on set at Astoria Studios in Queens, New York. Production was finished on December 19, 1980.

The film premiere for Endless Love took place on July 16, 1981, at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City. The film was released the next day. Despite the poor critical reception, the film was a box office success.

Cast & Characters:
Brooke Shields as Jade Butterfield
Martin Hewitt as David Axelrod
Shirley Knight as Ann Butterfield
Don Murray as Hugh Butterfield
Richard Kiley as Arthur Axelrod
Penelope Milford as Ingrid Orchester
Beatrice Straight as Rose Axelrod
James Spader as Keith Butterfield
Tom Cruise as Billy
Ian Ziering as Sammy Butterfield
Jami Gertz as Patty
Jeff Marcus as Leonard
Walt Gorney as Passerby
Robert Altman as Hotel Manager