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The Goodbye Girl

Play trailer Poster for The Goodbye Girl PG Released Nov 30, 1977 1h 50m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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The Goodbye Girl

Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 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 Read all reviews
The Goodbye Girl

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Goodbye Girl

The Goodbye Girl (1977) The Goodbye Girl (1977) View more photos

Movie Info

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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