Best Friends

PG

Released Dec 17, 1982

1 hr. 56 min.

Romance

Comedy

List

62%

13 Reviews

Tomatometer

30%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

For years, screenwriting team Richard Babson (Burt Reynolds) and Paula McCullen (Goldie Hawn) have built a successful Hollywood career while managing to live harmoniously together. After finishing their latest script, Babson uses the euphoria to convince McCullen to take the leap into marriage. However, when the newlywed couple travels back east to meet their respective in-laws, the pitfalls of marriage begin to surface. Unprepared, Babson and McCullen struggle with the changing dynamics.

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KEVIN C

Two screenwriters in a relationship spontaneously decide to elope, then they have to visit their respective parents to let them know which does damage to their new union. Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn star in this romantic comedy/drama. More dram than com in this one. I liked both the leads, but the movie itself wasn't a favourite of mine. Goldie and Burt did have good chemistry though.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

ashley h

Best Friends is an okay film. It is about a couple who decide to get married after living and working together for five years. Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn give decent performances. The script is a little slow in places. Norman Jewison did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the humor and romance.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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steve d

I didn't find this romance at all fun or romantic.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Wanted to like it more for the cast, but it is a standard cliched script for the time

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best movie song ever sung: How Do You Keep the Music Playing?!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn play screenwriting partners, and longtime romantic partners, who decide to get married and then find that marriage is not the same as being "best friends." Written by Barry Levinson ("Diner" "The Natural" "Avalon") and Valerie Curtin (who co-wrote "...and justice for all" "Inside Moves" and "Unfaithfully Yours" with Levinson), based the story on their own lives as writing partners. The film was directed by Norman Jewison ("In the Heat of the Night" "Moonstruck" "Rollerball") and was shot by Jordan Cronenweth ("Blade Runner" "Stop Making Sense" "Peggy Sue Got Married"), along with music by Michel Legrand ("Summer of '42" "The Thomas Crown Affair"), so considering all of the talent behind the camera and in front of the camera, which also included Jessica Tandy, Keenan Wynn, Ron Silver, and Richard LIbertini, the film is somewhat of a disappointment. However, although the film is not as good as I would have hoped, the stars have a likable chemistry and have a fun Tracy/Hepburn type of relationship, where the male and female leads are presented as equals, which is rarely the case with romantic comedies. Watchable if you're a fan of the two leads.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

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Norman Jewison

Director

Burt Reynolds

Richard Babson

Goldie Hawn

Paula McCullen

Jessica Tandy

Eleanor McCullen

Barnard Hughes

Tim McCullen

Audra Lindley

Ann Babson

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

So far, this sounds like a series of fairly predictable scenes. But they're redeemed by the writing and acting. The dialogue doesn't sound like reprocessed sitcom, and there are charming moments.

Rated: 3.5/4

May 8, 2019

Full Review

Bob Thomas

Associated Press

There are lots of laughs in the script by Valerie Curtin and Barry Levinson, as well as wry insights into modern relationships.

Nov 12, 2018

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

A very engaging film.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

There's little doubt that Best Friends fares best in its compulsively watchable opening stretch...

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 14, 2019

Full Review

TV Guide

Thin story collapses under the leaden star chemistry; capable supporting players can't save this dud.

Rated: 2/4

May 7, 2013

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Considering the source material (real life of writers Barry Levinson and Valerie Curtin, and the caliber of stars, Hawn and Reynolds, this comedy is disappointingly shallow and predictable.

Rated: C

Jun 10, 2012

Full Review

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Synopsis

For years, screenwriting team Richard Babson (Burt Reynolds) and Paula McCullen (Goldie Hawn) have built a successful Hollywood career while managing to live harmoniously together. After finishing their latest script, Babson uses the euphoria to convince McCullen to take the leap into marriage. However, when the newlywed couple travels back east to meet their respective in-laws, the pitfalls of marriage begin to surface. Unprepared, Babson and McCullen struggle with the changing dynamics.

Director: Norman Jewison
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 1982, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 5, 2008

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