Going Steady (1979)

Going Steady captures that sun-drenched, jukebox-humming slice of teenage life where hormones run hot, hearts bruise easily, and every night feels like it might become a story you’ll be telling for years. Boaz Davidson keeps the energy buoyant and the pace snappy, mixing beach-party comedy with just enough romantic sting to make the laughs land harder, especially as Benji’s big feelings collide with the messy etiquette of first love. The film’s real charm is its shameless nostalgia—rock ’n’ roll, moonlit mischief, and the kind of friendship that survives bad decisions—served with a wink that knows how ridiculous adolescence can be. It’s not for everyone if you’re allergic to cheeky, era-specific sex comedy, but if you’re in the mood for a breezy, slightly naughty retro romance with a big, beating teen heart, it’s an easy good time.

Going Steady is trying to be a sun-drenched, rock ’n’ roll teen romp about messy first love and hormones, with the Lemon Popsicle gang stumbling through parties, jealousy, and prom-night drama. The problem is that a lot of the “comedy” is built on aggressively dated attitudes toward women, with sexism baked into the writing and the way scenes are staged, so what it wants to play as naughty fun can land as mean-spirited and uncomfortable. If you’re hoping for a sweet retro romance or a coming-of-age story with any emotional maturity, this will likely feel crass and frustrating rather than charming. If you can compartmentalize the era’s sleaze and you mainly want beachy nostalgia, catchy music, and soap-opera teen antics, you may still find it watchable—but go in with your guard up.