Review of The Goodbye Girl (1977) by Francis L — 08 May 2012

I had never seen this film until around the early 2000s, but when I finally took the plunge I fell in love with it. One thing that enticed me to try it was Richard Dreyfuss, and his excellent performances in "Jaws" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (in it's various incarnations).

Then, I really was knocked over by Marsha Mason's acting (to the point that I actually wrote a fan 'e-mail' to her. They both meshed perfectly with the storyline about a struggling actor, a struggling (recently separated, via being dumped on) dancer, and how their shared trials and tribulations finally culminates in them falling in love with each other.

Throw in Quinn Cummings playing Mason's daughter, and her own acerbic wit (as well as the interplay between her and Dreyfuss, discussing various films, plays, actors, etc.) and this is an Epic Win.

The sappy main theme (which, I myself enjoy) just seems to be so right, to the point that you're aware of it, but it doesn't make itself the focus - rather it supplements the entire production.

But, let's not forget the excellent writing, which gives the trio such outstanding back-and-forth banter. As for the other portions, who doesn't enjoy Paul Benjamin's director, and his interpretation of Richard III - leading up to one of Dreyfuss' best acting performances.

My personal favorite is when Dreyfuss is reading aloud (while his character is totally drunk) the reviews of his latest show. To coin a phrase: You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll fall in love with this tour-de-force.