Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- earnest
- romantic
- witty
- nostalgic movie night
- teen drama marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film predictable and overly mawkish, though Molly Ringwald's credible performance gave its teen pregnancy drama emotional interest.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Darcy and Stan must reconsider college plans, marriage, and financial responsibility after discovering they are expecting a child.
Darcy's mother urges abortion while Stan's Catholic parents advocate adoption, forcing the couple to negotiate incompatible adult agendas.
The pregnancy drives discussion of abortion, adoption, marriage, education, and the limited support available to adolescent parents.
Darcy and Stan's commitment to one another conflicts directly with their anticipated college careers and independent futures.
Films like For Keeps, and why
Sixteen Candles
teen romance confronting an unplanned pregnancy, parental pressure, and difficult choices about adulthood
Pretty in Pink
1980s teen drama centered on Molly Ringwald, youthful romance, and the transition from high school into adult responsibility
The Last American Virgin
coming-of-age romance balancing teenage relationships, family expectations, and emotionally direct social issues
The Pregnancy Project
teen pregnancy drama with a socially conscious premise and emphasis on personal responsibility rather than sensationalism
Movie Details
- Director
- John G. Avildsen
- Release Date
- 1988-01-15
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (152)
Cast
- Molly Ringwald
- Randall Batinkoff
- Kenneth Mars
- Miriam Flynn
- Conchata Ferrell
- Sharon Brown
- John Zarchen
- Pauly Shore
- Michelle Downey
- Patricia Barry
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is For Keeps about?
- Two ambitious high-school sweethearts must decide whether an unexpected pregnancy will end their planned futures or redefine them together.
- What is For Keeps like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of For Keeps as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is For Keeps violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in For Keeps.
- What did critics think of For Keeps?
- Critics generally found the film predictable and overly mawkish, though Molly Ringwald's credible performance gave its teen pregnancy drama emotional interest.
- Which films are like For Keeps?
- Films with a similar feel include Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, The Last American Virgin, and The Pregnancy Project.
- How long is For Keeps?
- For Keeps runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch For Keeps?
- In United States, For Keeps streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
