My Tutor 1983

The cinematic narrative commences by juxtaposing the energetic pulsations of an aerobics class against the anxious atmosphere of a high school examination room, introducing us to Terry Green (Kaye) and Bobby Chrystal (Lattanzi), two individuals whose paths are about to converge in unexpected ways. While Bobby struggles to complete his last French final, Terry, with her exceptional proficiency in the language, is poised to make a lasting impact on his life.

Initially, Bobby’s summer plans revolve around shedding his virginity, preferably with Bonnie (Amber Denyse Austin), his long-standing crush, who has already caught someone else’s eye. However, upon receiving his French exam results, Bobby faces a daunting reality: he must retake the test and achieve an impressive 85% to secure his spot at Yale University, the esteemed alma mater of his wealthy lawyer father, Mr. Chrystal (Kevin McCarthy). In a clever move, Mr. Chrystal hires Terry, a talented French tutor, to reside with the Chrystals over the summer and guide Bobby towards academic success. The added incentive of a $10,000 bonus should Bobby pass his exam further motivates Terry’s involvement.

As Terry and Bobby begin their tutelage, it becomes apparent that Bobby’s enthusiasm for French is lukewarm at best, while his true aspirations lie in attending UCLA to pursue his passion for astronomy. Despite Terry’s empathetic nature, she emphasizes the importance of passing the French final, regardless of which college Bobby ultimately chooses.

As the summer unfolds, Terry and Bobby make progress, but their relationship remains platonic… or so it seems. Under the veil of night, when everyone in the Chrystal household is asleep, Terry slips into the family pool for a solitary swim, unaware that Bobby has been covertly observing her. His curiosity piqued, Bobby begins to frequent the pool at night, only to be caught by Terry on one fateful evening. Although she rebukes his snooping, it’s clear that the sparks of attraction have already begun to fly between them.

In the aftermath of yet another failed attempt by Bobby and his friends to lose their virginity, he returns home to find an emotionally distraught Terry, whose own boyfriend has been caught cheating. The following night, Terry heads back to the pool for her usual swim, only to be surprised by Bobby’s presence. As they share a tender moment, the boundaries between tutor and student begin to blur, paving the way for a passionate love affair that will forever alter their lives.

As the sweltering summer days dwindle away, Bobby’s impending French examination serves as a stark reminder of his looming adulthood. Despite Terry’s efforts to keep their relationship light-hearted and carefree, Bobby has secretly fallen deeply in love with her, refusing to let go even when she insists that their affair must come to an end once he takes the test. The situation becomes increasingly complicated when Mr. Chrystal, who harbors a hidden crush on Terry himself, stumbles upon his son and Terry locked in a passionate embrace one fateful night. Following Bobby’s successful passage of the examination with a nearly perfect score of 91%, Mr. Chrystal reveals to Bobby that he has promised Terry a substantial $10,000 bonus, casting a shadow of doubt over Terry’s true feelings for Bobby. Seething with anger and resentment, Bobby confronts his father about his suffocating influence, boldly declaring that he will no longer allow him to dictate every aspect of his life. With newfound determination, he storms off to find Terry, determined to clear the air once and for all.

The confrontation is intense and emotional, as Bobby accuses Terry of being motivated by greed rather than genuine affection. Terry vehemently denies the allegations, sparking a heated argument that ultimately leaves Bobby feeling defeated and heartbroken. In the aftermath of this tumultuous encounter, Bobby finds solace in rekindling his long-held crush on Bonnie, using his newfound confidence to win her over and secure a romantic partnership.

As Terry prepares to depart the Chrystal household, Bobby seeks her out one last time, apologizing for his hurtful words and expressing his deep appreciation for their shared experiences. Terry responds with stoic detachment, informing him that she too will never forget their tumultuous affair. The two share a poignant farewell kiss before parting ways, as Terry drives away into the distance. Bobby, meanwhile, erupts in joyful abandon, his eyes fixed on the limitless possibilities of his future.