The Raging Moon (aka Long Ago Tomorrow) (1971)

A cocky, working class amateur soccer player (Malcolm McDowell) contracts a virus that leaves him a paraplegic. At the home for the disabled he's sent to live, he finds himself attracted to a slightly older woman (Nanette Newman), also a paraplegic, who slowly breaks down his resentment. The first half of this film is fairly strong, examining the difficulties of adjusting to life as a paraplegic, before succumbing to a fairly conventional weepie. Still, one must give credit to director Bryan Forbes (who also wrote the screenplay) for keeping the maudlin aspect of it relatively in check. He doesn't shamelessly go for the tear ducts the way, say, something like LOVE STORY does. It's sentimental, yes but it's an honest sentiment. McDowell is very good (more than very good actually) but that's expected. The surprise is Newman's performance. Too often derided because of the "If you hire Bryan Forbes, you have to take the wife too" factor, she gives a delicate, effective performance, easily her best film work. The syrupy score by Stanley Myers is of no help. Also notable are Georgia Brown (Nancy in the original Broadway OLIVER!) and Barry Jackson as a married couple who work in the church run home. With Bernard Lee, Geoffrey Bayldon, Margery Mason and Gerald Sim.