[Quick Summary: A 14 y.o. goofy romantic makes headlines when he whisks two different women (20s, married) off on grand adventures.]
Based on a true 1940s story, I was surprised how darned charming I found Sonny.
How does this character upend expectations? I think it's because:
1) the script specifically says, "he's goofy," and
2) he's so earnest, sweet, not calculated.
He makes this coming-of-age story interesting to watch because of his off-beat, odd point of view, but I don't blame you if you said you'd have to see it to believe it.
So here's a scene that shows there's still romance in the world:
- Judy, 20, is a married neighbor with a new baby.
- She is a lonely housewife and disconnected with her older husband.
- Sonny has just arrived at 11 for 12pm party at Judy's house.
- Notice that Sonny is a fun-loving, empathetic, colorful character, but is not exactly a Casanova. It is his empathy for Judy that is attractive, but will trip him up.
INT. JUDY'S HOUSE - DAY
,,,JUDY: Sonny?
SONNY: Yes?
JUDY: Do you want to...kiss or something?
Sonny thinks for a second and then looks at his watch.
SONNY: 11:02...Alright.
Their lips meet. It's a long but chaste kiss, just lips pressed moderately against lips; no tongue, no moaning, no groping. After a little while they begin to look like statuary. When they stop, Sonny falls back against the rear of the couch, glassy-eyed and gasping for breath.
JUDY: Oh stop, I'm not that good a kisser.
SONNY (choking): ...swallowed my gum...
She jumps to the rescue by pounding him on his back until he holds up a hand and nods his head in a gesture of "Okay, that's enough." He takes an unobstructed swallow, checks his watch, and dives back in to kissing.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: Sonny is memorable simply because his combination of chivalrous and goofy fun has to been seen to be believed.
In the Mood (also known as "The Woo-Woo Boy") (1987)(2nd draft, 12/20/85)
by Phil Alden Robinson
Based on the true story of Ellsworth "Sonny" Wisecarver
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