User Reviews

This movie of the week shows the power of belief and the gift of honor. Hershel Bernardi is the proprietor of a beloved ocean front restaurant on the verge of being taken away from him, and young family friend Jan Michael Vincent goes out of town to obtain cash so Bernardi can keep it open. On his way back, Vincent makes the mistake of hitchhiking and being picked up by the overly tipsy Gary Crosby who swerves into another lane to avoid hitting Bonnie Bedelia's car, and Vincent flies out, gravely wounded.

Before he dies, the blood-covered Vincent sees the tear dropping from Bedelia's face, and after pleading "Not like this" (desperate to get Bernardi the money, Vincent dies. Bedelia is taken in by Bernardi who witnessed Bedelia swerving but did not see Vincent flying out of the car. The next day, Bedelia is walking on the beach and comes along a beautiful sandcastle which Vincent had made. All of a sudden, she sees a vision. It is Vincent, and he is back to make sure that Bernardi and his girlfriend/hostess Mariette Hartley somehow gets the money back which Crosby happens to find.

Yes, this is outlandish in many ways with many questions remaining, but the basic story is so sweet that it is difficult to dismiss as just another movie of the week. Jan Michael Vincent, one of the most handsome young actors of any era, is practically angelic, and portrays the character with so much heart yet very much human. Bernardi shows again why he is one of the great stage actors of all time, and delivers a touching performance that is filled with strength and humor and compassion, yet also not completely flawless. Even the bad guy, Crosby, has his elements of decency. It's easy to forgive a film for the questions that it leaves you with when it touche your heart so deeply.

Sandcastles has Jan-Michael Vincent bound to the beach which he loved to spend time at in life because he didn't complete an errand he was doing for Herschel Bernardi. Not Vincent's fault mind you, he was carrying $20,000.00+ in cash and a cashier's check to make a balloon payment on the mortgage of Bernardi's restaurant on the Pacific coast. He hitches a ride from Gary Crosby. In sight of the restaurant, Crosby who's been drinking a bit has a near miss with another car and Vincent goes flying out of the car and on to the beach. The other car wasn't hit so Crosby drives on and later discovers the money in Vincent's belongings.

The other driver is Bonnie Bedelia a most sensitive violinist who is shaken up and Bernardi and his wife Mariette Hartley take her in.

It's on the beach while building some Sandcastles that Bedelia discovers the ghost of Vincent who is trying to remember why he can't leave the beach. The story is pieced together bit by bit while Bedelia and Vincent enjoy a doomed romance.

I'd have to say that the characters weren't drawn all that well in this made for TV film. But the atmosphere of romance and mystery is done just fine. Jan-Michael and Bonnie are one attractive pair.

If you like romances, you should like Sandcastles.

Michael (Jan-Michael Vincent) returns from the dead and (for no good reason) falls for lonely Jenna (Bonnie Bedelia). It seems he was accidentally killed before he accomplished something and needs Jenna to finish it for him...but he's the only man she's ever loved and she'll lose him if she does it. Honestly--that's the whole story! This makes Danielle Steele's lousy romance novels look like great writing! The story has been done to death (even in 1972) and this adds nothing to it. It's ridiculously clichéd and filled with terrible dialogue and unbelievable characters. There are plot holes galore and scenes go from bright day to dark night instantly! Acting doesn't help at all. The great character actor Herschel Bernardi gives a rare bad performance. His character is so good and sweet you can't take him seriously. Bonnie Bedelia is a wonderful actress---but not here! She appears drugged out and has a blank look on her face all the time. However she's better than Vincent. He's TERRIBLE! His face NEVER shows any emotion--even when he's dying! They're both pretty to look at but their lousy acting makes them impossible to take seriously as a romantic couple. Their love scenes don't work at all. Only pro Mariette Hartley gives out a good performance.

What's really frustrating is this could have been great. The settings are beautiful and the classical music really works. But the lousy story, bad acting and terrible dialogue sink this one. I realize a lot of people saw this back in 1972 and have fond memories of it. Maybe they should watch it again (FXM shows it) and see how lovingly they think of it now. A silly cardboard soap opera. 1 all the way.