LOVE STORY
Source: Wikipedia

Love Story is a 1970 romance motion picture drama based on the 1970 best-seller, written by Erich Segal, and directed by Arthur Hiller. The film, well-known as a tear-jerking tragedy, is considered one of the most romantic of all time by the American Film Institute (#9 on the list). The screenplay also was written by Segal.

The novel tells the story of Oliver Barrett, IV, who comes from a long line of wealthy and well-respected Harvard University graduates. Partly to break the traditional Ivy League mold, the Harvard student meets and falls in love with Jennifer Cavilleri, a working-class, quick-witted Radcliffe College student. Upon graduation from college, the two decide to marry against the wishes of Oliver's father, who thereafter severs ties with his son.

Lacking his father's financial support, the couple struggles to pay Oliver's way through Harvard Law School. Graduating third in his class, Oliver takes a position at a respectable New York law firm, while Jennifer teaches at a private school.

With Oliver's income and Jennifer's salary as a teacher, the pair of 24-year-olds decide to have a child. After several failed attempts at conception, they seek consultation from a medical specialist, who, after repeated tests, informs Oliver that Jennifer has leukemia and will soon die.

As instructed by his doctor, Oliver attempts to live a "normal life" without telling Jennifer of her condition. Jennifer nevertheless discovers her ailment after confronting her doctor about her recent illness. With their days together numbered, Jennifer begins costly cancer therapy, and Oliver soon becomes unable to afford the piling hospital expenses. Desperate, he seeks financial relief from his father. Instead of telling his father what the money is truly for, Oliver leads him believe that he needs it because he has had an affair which led to a pregnancy.

From her hospital bed, Jennifer speaks with her father about funeral arrangements, and then asks for Oliver. She tells him to avoid blaming himself, and asks him to embrace her tightly before she dies.

The novel also includes the double meaning of a love story between Oliver and his father, highlighted by the scene between Oliver and his father at the end of the book. It isn't until after Jennifer dies that Mr. Barret realizes that she was ill and that the money was for her. When Oliver runs into his father walking outside of the hospital he tells him that Jennifer has died. Mr. Barret genuinely tells his son that he is sorry. Oliver replies, with tears in his eyes that "Love means never having to say you're sorry."

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Where Do I Begin ?
( Theme from "Love Story" )

Where do I begin ?
To tell the story of how great a love can be,
The sweet love story that is older than the sea,
The simple truth about the love she brings to me,
Where do I start ?

With her first hello!
She gave a meaning to this empty world of mine,
There’d never be another love, another time,
She came into my life and made the living fine,
She fills my heart . . .

She fills my heart with very special things,
With angels’ songs , with wild imaginings,
She fills my soul with so much love,
That anywhere I go, I’m never lonely,
With her along, who could be lonely ?
I reach for her hand, it’s always there . . .

How long does it last ?
Can love be measured by the hours in a day ?
I have no answers now, but this much I can say,
I know I’ll need her 'till the stars all burn away
And she’ll be there . . .

She’ll be there . . .

~ from the Paramount Picture "Love Story"