Bobby Deerfield (1977)

Bobby Deerfield Poster

Bobby Deerfield, a famous American race car driver on the European circuit, falls in love with the enigmatic Lillian Morelli, who is terminally ill.

Film Overview
"Bobby Deerfield" is a dramatic love film, directed by Sydney Pollack in 1977, based upon the Erich Maria Remarque unique "Heaven Has No Favorites". The film stars Al Pacino as Bobby Deerfield, an American race vehicle chauffeur, and Marthe Keller as Lillian Morelli. The film is generally about Bobby's look for personal fulfilment and his psychological participation with Lillian, a woman with a terminal health problem.

Plot Summary
Bobby Deerfield is a careful and reserved expert Grand Prix chauffeur. He lives a high-disciplined lifestyle focusing solely on his career, mostly due to a terrible racing mishap that killed a buddy. Facing the threat in his occupation, he meets Lillian Morelli in a medical facility while checking out a fellow racer who was injured. Lillian is a free-spirited and impulsive lady who is dying of an unidentified illness. She has a transmittable zest for life that initially bemuses Bobby, but eventually, he falls in love with her.

Love Development
The film explores the developing relationship between Bobby and Lillian. Although their characters are polar revers, they attract each other due to their shared sense of death. Lillian shows Bobby life beyond the racing field, teaching him to unwind and delight in life's pleasures. Bobby, in turn, offers comfort to Lillian, whose health gradually worsens. Their romantic relationship establishes as they travel throughout the gorgeous landscapes of France and Switzerland, adding a touch of enchantment to the film.

Key Themes
"Bobby Deerfield" explores styles such as the fear of death, love, and the purpose of life. Bobby's character shows the battle with accepting mortality, particularly considering his high-risk profession. On the other hand, Lillian's character embodies a person who, regardless of being on the brink of death, chooses to live her life to the maximum. The film contrasts these two techniques to life and death, highlighting how love can change point of views and improve lives.

Conclusion and Reflection
The film culminates as Lillian's health degrades, and she dies. This occasion drives Bobby to reevaluate his approach to life, encouraging him to appreciate the unpredictable elements of life, rather of always bewaring. His character improvement is evident as he refuses to continue with an unsafe race in spite of the pressure from his team manager. The film ends on an enthusiastic note, with Bobby beginning to embrace life beyond the race course.

Crucial Reception
"Bobby Deerfield" had actually mixed reviews, with some applauding the on-screen chemistry in between Al Pacino and Marthe Keller. Others slammed it for its sluggish pacing and the expected absence of in-depth character advancement. However, the movie's exploration of death and the significance of life through the lens of a race vehicle driver's life gives it a distinct beauty, making it a rewarding look for fans of drama and romance.

In conclusion, "Bobby Deerfield" is a movie about love, mortality, and the acceptance of life's unpredictability. Regardless of its mixture of reviews, the film offers a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of life and death, seen through the contrasting lenses of its primary characters.

Top Cast

  • Al Pacino (small)
    Al Pacino
    Bobby
  • Marthe Keller (small)
    Marthe Keller
    Lillian
  • Anny Duperey (small)
    Anny Duperey
    Lydia
  • Walter McGinn (small)
    Walter McGinn
    The Brother
  • Romolo Valli (small)
    Romolo Valli
    Uncle Luigi
  • Van Doude (small)
    Van Doude
    The Flutist
  • Gérard Hernandez (small)
    Gérard Hernandez
    Carlos Del Montanaro
  • Stephan Meldegg (small)
    Stephan Meldegg
    Karl Holtzmann
  • Norm Nielsen
    The Magician
  • Jaime Sánchez (small)
    Jaime Sánchez
    Delvecchio
  • Mickey Knox (small)
    Mickey Knox
    Tourist