The Goodbye Girl

PG

Released Nov 30, 1977

1h 50m

Romance

Comedy

List

80%

25 Reviews

Tomatometer

85%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Former Broadway hoofer Paula McFadden (Marsha Mason) and her young daughter, Lucy (Quinn Cummings), are outraged to find that Paula's former lover has fled to Europe and subleased their apartment to hyper Chicago actor Elliot Garfield (Richard Dreyfuss). Neither Marsha nor Elliot is prepared to acknowledge the other's right to the apartment, but they reluctantly agree to share it. Despite their opposite natures and constant bickering, when Elliot's play fails, Marsha is surprisingly affected.

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Todd C

Really a fun movie. Throughout the movie I was impressed with the acting by all, but was especially taken with Quinn Cummings, the child actress. Her comic timing was very mature for her age and the movie was at its best when she was on screen. I'm not sure a movie like this would get the awards it got then now, but I'm glad it did. I do think the movie holds up well as a fairly wholesome romcom although I saw reviews from others that suggested the opposite. Excellent chemistry between Dreyfuss and Mason and the kid. I should probably watch more of Neil Simon adaptions. I've enjoyed the ones I have seen. Is it predictable? Yes, as are most romcoms. However, there are some surprises and I loved the ending. She script was witty, intelligent and sincere. I think most people can find themselves, or at least part of themselves, in these characters in some way. I guess some of the feminists have issues with this movie. I do not have those issues, but I respect their feelings on it. I did not find it sexist, but I supposed the reliance on a man is the issue. The romance between the two did not feel like it was developed well...well, I mean the build up to it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/07/23

Full Review

Carol P

My favorite rom-com of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/23

Full Review

Scott W

Dreyfuss is really again. Not sure the movie holds up well from the 70s. Good cast and director

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/04/23

Full Review

Isla E

An absolutely amazing little film. I still enjoy this movie even today. I have my own personal copy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Cg B

Wonderful, funny , heartbreaking, bittersweet - Neil Simon at his best, as is Richard Dreyfus.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/08/22

Full Review

Shari H

Alright, I grew up in the 80s. What can I tell you? I loved it SO

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/12/21

Full Review

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Herbert Ross

Director

Richard Dreyfuss

Elliot Garfield

Marsha Mason

Paula McFadden

Quinn Cummings

Lucy McFadden

Paul Benedict

Mark

Barbara Rhoades

Donna

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70%

64%

Seems Like Old Times

72%

85%

A Little Romance

29%

42%

Romantic Comedy

70%

55%

Love at First Bite

75%

48%

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Dreyfuss is great but the movie has not held up well.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 27, 2005

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

It's strange: We leave the movie having enjoyed its conclusion so much that we almost forgot our earlier reservations. But they were there, and they were real.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Classic Simon, full of sophisticated New Yorkers tossing witty banter and zesty comebacks at each other with reckless abandon.

Rated: 3/4

May 31, 2023

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a sitcom-friendly premise thats employed to entertaining yet decidedly erratic effect...

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 6, 2022

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Exceptionally funny, buoyed by keen scripting, light slapstick, and joyous performances.

Rated: 9/10

Jan 2, 2022

Full Review

Grace Jones

Spare Rib

The film begins with a veneer of sympathy for the plight of the 'deserted woman' but soon embraces a plot which is romantic, male-dominated and has a happy ending.

Sep 22, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

Former Broadway hoofer Paula McFadden (Marsha Mason) and her young daughter, Lucy (Quinn Cummings), are outraged to find that Paula's former lover has fled to Europe and subleased their apartment to hyper Chicago actor Elliot Garfield (Richard Dreyfuss). Neither Marsha nor Elliot is prepared to acknowledge the other's right to the apartment, but they reluctantly agree to share it. Despite their opposite natures and constant bickering, when Elliot's play fails, Marsha is surprisingly affected.

Director: Herbert Ross
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Bros., Rastar Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 30, 1977, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2008
Runtime: 1h 50m

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