First Meeting Warms Up the Whimsical ‘Chilly Scenes’

People who have ever been romantically pursued or dropped (for no perceivable good reason) will find a lot to relate to in “Chilly Scenes of Winter.”

The whimsical comedy stars John Heard as Charles Richardson, a guy hung up on his old girlfriend, Laura Connally (Mary Beth Hurt). The problem: After letting Charles pursue her for a while, Laura has moved back in with her husband, whom she had left once before.

Hurt conveys the painful confusion of a woman who doesn’t know exactly why she left her husband, or why she goes back. Heard plays his zealousness perfectly; he thinks he knows exactly what he wants: Laura. How can Charles get her back?

The film is based on Anne Beattie’s novel of the same name, but in a marketing ploy, it was first released as “Head Over Heels,” with a happy ending tacked on; once you’ve seen the director’s cut (recently made available again on videotape) you’ll appreciate how wrong that fluffy title is. The ending as director Joan Micklen Silver wanted it is not tragic, just ambiguous.

The story jumps chronologically, blending fantasy, flashback and reality. The flashback scenes--in which Heard meets, and is enchanted by, Hurt--are full of charm, whimsy and poignancy. Every first meeting should be this good.

“Chilly Scenes of Winter” (1979), directed by Joan Micklen Silver. 97 minutes. Rated PG.