Review of Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) by Matthew S — 09 May 2015

Even tho this film features brilliant work by the actors involved (particularly Keaton) -- I think it emerges as confused as the era in which it was made. Richard Brooks was a great filmmaker but I'm not sure he really understood the tragedy that the novel was depicting.

At times the film comes off as both homophobic and misogynistic. It is still worth seeing thanks to the performances. Viewers should be forewarned that the film features one of the most disturbing rape/murder scenes ever caught on screen.

The real problem with this scene of horrific sexual violence and murder is that it seems to belong to a different movie. I often wonder what would have happened if Brooks had secured a female artist to adapt the great novel for the screen.