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The Goodbye Girl

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The Goodbye Girl

PG

Released Nov 30, 1977

1h 50m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

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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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

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

Rated: 3/5

Feb 27, 2005

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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

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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

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

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

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 6, 2022

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

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

Rated: 9/10

Jan 2, 2022

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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

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Chris T

This film has not aged well at all, Richard Dryfuss plays an arrogant, entitled, talentless actor who moves into a young mother's apartment and makes her life miserable. Despite treating her terribly, and looking about 10 years older and more neurotic than the 30 he was in 1977, she falls madly in love him him anyway. This development comes across as completely contrived, while in other scenes the film reinforces the rampant gender stereotypes and homophobia of the era, and seems to be the literal opposite of the "meet cute." Pass

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

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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

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Carol P

My favorite rom-com of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/23

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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

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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

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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

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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

Seems Like Old Times

70%

64%

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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
Producer: Ray Stark
Screenwriter: Neil Simon
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Rastar Pictures, Warner Bros.
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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