Splendor in the Grass

REVIEW
Beginning with screendom's first French kiss, this lyrical and delicate examination of youthful love and the heartache and joy that accompanies it is somewhat sentimental, but after nearly 40 years it's still a heartbreaking and timeless story. Wood, in her most accomplished performance, and Beatty, in his screen debut, star as young lovers in 1920s Kansas who are hopelessly trapped by overbearing parents, social class lines and the boundaries of first love. Director Kazan handles his actors and story with great sensitivity, and William Inge won an Oscar for his insightful screenplay.