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The Goodbye Girl

The Goodbye Girl

List Price: $19.98
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Pretty Romantic.
Review: A movie I watched with my mom. This movie is comedic and genuine enjoy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: EXCELLENT FILM
Review: An excellent that must definitely be seen

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The way romance was meant to unfold!
Review: Color me jaded, but there are few romantic comedies produced today where the love story is allowed to unfold gradually. In this "hurry up" world of the 1990's, it's nice to sit back and watch the humourous rendering of two people falling in love not falling into bed within the first 20 minutes. Call me old fashioned but it seems love in the '90's means "never having to say I love you ... and mean it!" The chemistry between the neurotic Marsha Mason and the egocentric Richard Dreyfuss make this comedic romp a joy to behold. Dreyfuss' Oscar winning performance showcased by his rapid fire delivery of lines is a laugh riot and his reluctant portrayal of Richard III would make even Kenneth Branaugh laugh out loud!!! There are only a very few movies of our generation (such as Rob Reiner's "The Sure Thing" from 1985) which show the rocky road to love is worth the trip if you start out as polar opposites destined to become friends and FINALLY lovers. Neil Simon has written smart, witty characterizations of two people we want to see fall in love, as opposed to fall in lust. Bravo to cast and writer and let us hope that the jaded Hollywood writers and directors of the 90's will dig this little gem out of the archives and see how romantic comedy should be portrayed.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: one of Richard Dreyfuss funniest movies.
Review: Dreyfuss was incredible in this movie .

A movie that will always stay in my heart. There definetly should be more of these romantic comedies in the mellenium. One of Richard Dreyfuss funniest movies.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Romantic-Comedy Classic
Review: Dumped yet again by her less than scrupulous lover, Marcia Mason is in for quite a surprise when she finds out that her apartment has been sublet to Richard Dreyfuss ( who plays an actor about to begin his first off-Broadway play, Richard III ). Mason's wise-cracking daughter,(played by Quinn Cummings) is fantastic as a cynical 10 year old and almost steals the movie away from the main 2 characters. When Dreyfuss agrees to let Mason and her daughter share the apartment with him, the sparks start to fly. Immediately Dreyfuss begins to assert his egocentric personality by laying down the rules of the house "I DON'T like the panties drying on the rod !! " and their relationship goes down hill from there. But naturally, as it always goes in this type of romantic comedy, the 2 main characters eventually begin to warm up to each other and have a relationship of their own. It's a movie about taking chances and allowing yourself to be vulnerable just ONE more time to let love into your heart. My friend, Debbie, and I have watched this movie so many times we can practically recite the dialogue by heart "mama bear done fixed the cave up good !" This movie is worth watching if just to see Dreyfuss' character play the worst version of Richard III imaginable. He sashays and lisps and flounces around the off-Broadway stage until you are laughing so hard your sides hurt ! I highly recommend this movie to anyone who wants to watch something that is funny and yet touchingly innocent and uplifting, all at the same time.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Dreyfuss as Richard III?
Review: Ever since I learned that Richard Dreyfuss had won the Best Actor Academy Award for his role as Elliot Garfield in The Goodbye Girl, it had been added to my "must-see" list. I just saw it last night and, like many Neil Simon films, it has its ups and downs.

When her live-in actor boyfriend Tony leaves for Italy, out-of-work dancer Paula McFadden (Marsha Mason, who was married to Simon and would eventually act in six of his films) is left alone, again, with her 10-year-old daughter Lucy (Quinn Cummings). What she didn't know is that, before leaving and since the lease was in his name, Tony had sublet their apartment to someone else: struggling Chicago actor Elliot Garfield, just in town for his New York premiere as Richard III. After a lengthy set of arguments, they come to an arrangement: they will share the apartment.

The Goodbye Girl is a romantic comedy so, of course, Paula and Elliot spend the first half of the movie at each other's throat (before coming together at the end) while Lucy delivers the film's best lines and is, in general, adorably charming. Cummings probably gives the film's most engaging performance. Mason is good, but her sharp features left me wondering what the attraction was, although the bearded and bespectacled Dreyfuss is no catch, either. (It is apparent that the cast was chosen for their acting ability and not their matinee idol looks.)

And now Dreyfuss: did he deserve the Oscar over Woody Allen (Annie Hall), Richard Burton (Equus), Marcello Mastroianni (A Special Day), and John Travolta (Saturday Night Fever)? I'm torn but tend to lean toward the positive, not based on his entire performance, but on specific moments when I went "wow" like when Paula and Lucy go to see him after the opening of Richard III. Every bit of that scene comes through his eyes and facial expression. He doesn't say a word and, probably because of that, my eyes were riveted to him. For the rest, just imagine Hooper from Jaws in love; Dreyfuss usually plays himself. Although I can certainly imagine that Jason Alexander's performance as George on Seinfeld owes more than a little to Dreyfuss' 1970s film persona, especially here.

Neil Simon stories are generally uneven and The Goodbye Girl is no exception. When he is writing comedy, there is no one better. Unfortunately, he likes to insert moments of drama in his plays, as well, and, after laughing so much, the absence of it is very noticeable. I found myself slowly losing interest toward the end as the romance developed. I'm not intrigued by watching two very ordinary-looking people kissing, and there is at least one intense scene of that alone. Also, Lucy became less prominent as the romance was played out, and that is a loss. And the last quarter of simply didn't have room to be funny. Surprisingly enough, even though The Goodbye Girl is one of the few Simon movies not based on a Broadway play, it feels like one: it takes place almost entirely in one location, and the actors (particularly Dreyfuss) often descend to extreme gestures. I can't imagine watching it again, but I think people should see it, especially actors, if just to watch Dreyfuss play Richard III as a mincing gay man. It's offensive in the best way.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This movie will restore your faith in romantic comedy.
Review: Every time I watch this film, I get caught up in the love story that slowly unfolds as if it is my personal story. The scene of Dreyfus and Mason's first kiss is undoubtedly the *best* I have ever seen because it is so true to life. And what a beautiful first date!!! Not many films depict relationships beginning in such a sweet, innocent and loving way as this one.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This is my one of my favorite movies!!
Review: I have loved this movie ever since I first saw it on cable tv back in the 70's!! Marsha Mason is one of my all-time favorite anyways and Richard D. is hilarious!!

This is a MUST have in your movie collectiables! If you have seen the movie as much as I have, you will start repeating the lines...lolol The sound-track of the movie is PERFECT for the theme of the movie,... (goodbye,..doesn't mean forever...)

**Regular TV did a remake of this movie a couple of months ago, ( the two actors I forgot the names). But it was HORRIBLE acting! The dialong was exactly the same, but the actors did a horrible job. I'm sorry, the acting of Richard D. & Marsha Mason "MADE" what the origianl Goodbye Girl what it is!!!** FANTASTIC & FUNNY!!

May I HIGHLY suggest watching, "Chapter Two" / also a Neil Simon movie with Marsha Mason!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: I love this movie. The passion between them, and he dialogue are superb. I can't imagine what girl wouldn't love this movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good movie.
Review: I love this movie. I saw it 20 years ago in the theater and just now bought it. This is Richard Dreyfuss' followup moving to Jaws. It is a romantic love story. Enjoy!


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