Classic Cinema Spotlight: Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing (1973)

The film begins with a introduction to Walter Elbertson (Timothy Bottoms) who is painfully shy young man who doesn't really know what he is going to do with his life. His parents send him on a holiday trip to Spain in the hopes that this will spark some passion in his life. Walter is less than enthusiastic to bike ride all over Spain and his asthma doesn't help matters much. In comes Ms. Lila Fisher (Maggie Smith) who is exploring Spain via a tour bus. She comes across as awkward, nervous, and wary of everything and everyone around her. 

Things begin to change for them both when their tours unexpectedly collide. Walter quickly finds himself at a crossroad and decides to ditch his bike and join the tour bus that Lila happens to also be on. He sits himself awkwardly next to Lila while she looks at him uncomfortably. You couldn't find two more different people than Walter and Lila. Walter is young with a future ahead and a willingness to take unplanned risks like jumping on that tour bus. Lila on the other hand, appears to be a bit older than Walter and more cautious about everything she does.

Little by little Walter and Lila find themselves sort of stuck with each other while exploring various parts of Spain. Neither has designs for the other. Not even a friendship was in the cards for either of them, or so they assumed. After spending some time together they find themselves enjoying each other's company. Despite the age difference and the differences of where they were at in their own lives, Walter and Lila manage to find some little bits of joy in the times they spent together. Lila, stuck in her ways and seemingly afraid of change slowly finds herself willing to take a risk on Walter.

They become lovers and decide to leave the tour bus behind them. Lila and Walter make a commitment to one another but it isn't solidified until they come across a dashing Spanish duke who helps Walter realize that he truly wants to be with Lila. Differences aside he finally realizes that he does want something in life and that something is Lila. Things come to a head when Lila confesses to Walter that she is ill and doesn't have much time to live. 

Walter, who started out directionless and passionless, finds that the best thing for both of them would be to spend whatever time they have left-together. Despite both seeming mismatched in every possible way, Walter and Lila end up find peace and joy in their unexpected union.