Matho
The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.
Lela
The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.
irishm
I saw this in the theater when it came out. Then I saw it this afternoon on streaming. I remember kind of liking this one as a teen, but still there was something about it that nagged at me through the years and convinced me not to go to any great trouble to see it again. Today I was reminded what that was: the characters are such unpleasant people. Yeesh. I'm glad I don't have friends or family like this.The dad has his head in the sand and will do just about anything to prevent his only child from taking a brave risk to better herself. The boyfriend is a self-centered jerk and a quitter who drops out of medical school and semi-pro hockey in the first 30 minutes of the film, and who also seems to resent Lexie's potential to succeed in life, the same potential he himself has squandered twice already. And the ice rink owner is a shrieking harpy. I don't think too many ice rink owners are Care Bear types, really, but Beulah did altogether too much screaming and cussing. (Funny thing: from seeing the film in the theater, I remembered Colleen Dewhurst as "the fat lady"... guess what? 35 years later I see she wasn't at all fat. She was a middle-aged woman. She looked... ahem... rather like I do now. "Stupid" clothes and all.) The one exception to the unpleasantness is Lexie herself; I thought Lynn-Holly Johnson played her very believably, with great exuberance while skating and credible depression after the accident. She was a joy to watch on the ice... I'm not a sports or skating fan at all, but I streamed it twice just to watch her skate. Wow. The film would have been a total zero without her.There are confusing plot issues: what about that boyfriend of Lexie's new trainer, who not only gravitates from the trainer to Lexie herself, but the trainer doesn't seem to care or even notice? And continuity issues: towards the end, see Tom Skerritt on the pond wearing boots, then skates, then boots again, while helping Lexie regain her skating ability. And as I said, just too much nastiness between the characters: okay, I get that Robbie Benson (who is in serious need of an eyebrow waxing) wants Lexie not to feel sorry for herself, but the way he screams "Shut up!" at her when she asks for help getting up is really not going to help matters any.I wouldn't have bothered with this one again if not for Lynn-Holly Johnson; she made the whole film and she was a joy to watch. If I had a flower, I'd throw it.
Karianne McDaniel
I first saw this movie around the time we got cable back in 1982. Not only did I become obsessed with watching this film (Along with "Oh Heavenly Dog" and "Victor/Victoria") but I thought I would surely marry Robby Benson. The movie isn't sophisticated or mind boggling, but it is a romantic, good hearted, and honestly written movie. Ice Castles focuses on the story. It stays true to the form of movies I enjoy watching. It was a tear jerker of a movie when I was 8 and it still is today, partly because of the song "Looking Through The Eyes of Love". I can go grocery shopping today and hear the song overhead and will well up with tears. I instantly get this profound image of Robby Benson in one of the movies most pivotal scenes. Once anyone sees this movie then can they understand why I wanted to marry him. It's a quality picture and a nice time to spend watching the tube, especially on a chilly fall day with hot chocolate.
ray-280
This is a movie that leaves you wondering what it would have been in the hands of competent talent.The story is contrived, the acting horrid, and I'm still wondering how Robbie Benson ever had such a following. Lynn Holly Johnson is barely capable, somewhat nice looking, but does little with the material given her. The only reason she doesn't stick out like a sore thumb for her poor performance is that the cast was all thumbs as well, and sore thumbs at that.That said, I still tune in on cable when I see this movie because the story is a can't-miss (even this group couldn't mess it up): a late-starting figure-skater who begins to catch up to her more experienced peers goes blind while practicing, thus ending her career aspirations for the only thing she's ever done well in her life. From there, the usual assortment of skeptics and cheerleaders assume their usual positions, complete with predictable plot twists and a classic "chick flick" climax.I did not see this movie when it first came out, but having seen it, I now have an appreciation for what a female would have to go through if she found herself held captive through a showing of "Road House."
aussie_girl-1
I would like to say my mother took me to the movies to see this when I was just 11yrs and I thought it was a beautiful movie, sure looking back now its not the best of acting but hey when your just 11 yrs its not an issue I thought & still think Lynn Holly Johnson is beautiful & gracious in this movie lets not forget this is the 70s movie, hair styles are somewhat the past as to why i think Robby Benson has some answering to I love the sound track (through the eyes of love) I can tell you I'm now 37 yrs old I've just managed to collect this movie of my own ,Ive seen this movie 40plus times & still feel the emotion of her moves on the ice & yes its me gives me goose bumps I now have my 5yr old daughter watching it and yes she now wants to ice skate I could be now living my dream through my daughter, I would love to see a sequel to this movie I loved it that much.To all the negative comments are not worth reading as they get shadowed by the positive ones.
