Another Neil Simon comedy that hasn't aged well since its release 40 years ago, THE GOODBYE GIRL still has some funny moments and a terrific lead performance by Richard Dreyfuss.
Marsha Mason plays unemployed Broadway dancer Paula McFadden, madly in love with her boyfriend Tony, as is her precocious ten year old daughter Lucy, played by Quinn Cummings in an Oscar nominated performance.
As the film opens, Paula and Lucy come home to an empty apartment and a letter from Tony saying he's left for Italy and "goodbye".
Crushed, Paula and Lucy's world is about to be turned upside down with the arrival of off-off Broadway actor Elliot Garfield. Tony sublet the apartment to Elliot and he's arrived to move in.
Richard Dreyfuss was fresh off "Jaws" and "Close Encounter of the Third Kind" and shows great comedic timing as the neurotic, headstrong actor with two unexpected roommates.
This played SO much funnier in the seventies. Neil Simon's writing was more in tune with the times, but now it plays forced, with way too many perfect comebacks and witty asides. It's a style all his own that's fun to look back, but completely unbelievable.
Quinn Cummings as Lucy is the acid test for your enjoyment of the movie. If you find her adult opinions and comments funny, you're in for a good time. If you find them all a bit much and unnatural, this goes south quickly.
I'm in the middle, maybe coasting on memories of how much I enjoyed this movie in theaters back in '77.
Dreyfuss won the Oscar for Best Actor as Elliot and he deserves it, firing off rapid dialogue and having the best dramatic moments in the film.
Mason has always been one of my least favorite actresses. This is probably her best role, but she just plays so weepy and annoying it comes off very grating to me.
Their rooftop date is a highlight, as is their scene defining the house rules as roommates.
With plenty of laughs and still enjoyable with a nostalgic eye, THE GOODBYE GIRL still gets a B.
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