A Little Romance (1979)

80% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
78% of users liked it
(4,922 ratings)

The disarming comedy A Little Romance features Diane Lane as a 13-year-old American, living in Paris with her businessman stepfather (Arthur Hill) and her promiscuous mother (Sally Kellerman). Mom is currently enamored with pretentious-filmmaker David Dukes, and it is on the set of Dukes' latest… More The disarming comedy A Little Romance features Diane Lane as a 13-year-old American, living in Paris with her businessman stepfather (Arthur Hill) and her promiscuous mother (Sally Kellerman). Mom is currently enamored with pretentious-filmmaker David Dukes, and it is on the set of Dukes' latest picture that Lane meets another 13-year-old, insatiable French film buff Thelonious Bernard. A likeable street-smart petty thief and gambler, Bernard is instantly attracted to Lane. With the help of roguish old Laurence Olivier, Lane and Bernard arrange a romantic rendezvous under the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. Naturally, when the kids disappear it's a cause for international concern, but all ends as it should. Some of the best moments in A Little Romance belong to Broderick Crawford, unselfconsciously playing "himself" at a movie party. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: George Roy Hill
Written By: Claude Klotz, Allan Burns
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 27, 1979 Wide
On DVD: Jan 7, 2003

Critic Reviews

Renee Schonfeld, Common Sense Media
Young love is sweet, romantic, with some teen rebellion.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Absolutely delightful romance, so light of heart that it has the power to melt any cynic.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Charming to the max with great Olivier turn.
Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly
Diane Lane's talent was obvious even at age 14.
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
Like the rest of the film, Diane Lane is smart, pretty and charming in the most classical of senses.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
A Little Romance is a remarkably sweet and gentle film. Thank you, Mr. Hill, for all of your work.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
George Roy Hill...wasn't afraid to entertain his audience with a good story, likeable characters, and a little schmaltz.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Charming tale of adolescent romance that had me mooning after Diane Lane for years.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
We all need a little romance, and George Roy Hill gives just the right potion.

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

Super adorable. Two wicked smart kids, one French & one American, vow to "kiss under the Bridge of Sighs at sunset while the bells toll." When the girl, a super young Diane Lane, has to move back to America the two run off together with the help of Laurence Olivier. Teen… More
Super adorable. Two wicked smart kids, one French & one American, vow to "kiss under the Bridge of Sighs at sunset while the bells toll." When the girl, a super young Diane Lane, has to move back to America the two run off together with the help of Laurence Olivier. Teen romance and shenanigans ensue.
jay n

sweet
Dannielle A

Not sure why I didn't like it as much as everyone else here, perhaps it's just a bit dated to me, yet young love will always be a timeless story.
Leo L

Seen this over the weekend! A good movie. I predict Thelonious Bernard would have been a great actor after this.

Cast

            Laurence Olivier as Julius

            Arthur Hill as Richard King

            Sally Kellerman as Kay King

            Diane Lane as Lauren

            Thelonious Bernard as Daniel

            Broderick Crawford as Brod

            David Dukes as George De Marco

            Andrew Duncan as Bob Duryea

            Claudette Sutherland as Janet Duryea

            Graham Fletcher-Cook as Londet

            Ashby Semple as Natalie

            Claude Brosset as Michel Michon

            Tom Byron
            
            Jeoffrey Carey as Makeup Man

            Kari Foxx
            
            Dominique Lavanant as Mme. Corier

            Trinity Loren
            
            Michael Marshall as 1st Assistant Director

            Anna Massey as Mrs. Siegel

            Jacques Maury as Insp. Leclerc

            Penny Morgan
            
            John Pepper as 2nd Assistant Director

            Carlo Lastricati as Tour Guide

            Peter Maloney as Martin

            Jeanne Herviale as Woman in Metro

            David Gabison as French Representative

            Michel Bardinet as French Ambassador

            Lucienne Legrand as Cashier

            Arthur Hiller
            
See full cast