I Ought to Be in Pictures

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I Ought to Be in Pictures

PG

1982

1h 47m

Comedy

Drama

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80%

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5 Reviews

43%

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50+ Ratings

Headstrong 19-year-old Libby Tucker (Dinah Manoff) impulsively hitchhikes from her native New York City to Hollywood, Calif., to visit her long-estranged screenwriter father, Herbert (Walter Matthau). An aspiring actress, Libby expects Herbert to atone for running out on her when she was a baby by helping to make her a star. But it soon becomes clear that the underemployed Herbert and his hairdresser girlfriend, Steffy (Ann-Margret), are not in a position to advance anyone else's career.

Bob Thomas

Associated Press

I Ought to Be in Pictures is a slender but endearing Neil Simon comedy-drama, reflecting the human side of the prolific writer.

Oct 22, 2018

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Bruce McCabe

Boston Globe

Simon's best dialogue revolves around genuine emotion. He's the only screenwriter dealing consistently with familial issues. He's working toward something more lasting than gags. Pictures is a step in that direction.

Apr 27, 2018

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Larry Vitacco

Philadelphia Gay News

I Ought To Be In Pictures ought to be; it's a classy adaptation of a fine play that has the added advantage of a cunningly cloying Marvin Hamlisch music score to help open the tearducts.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 21, 2020

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Diego Galán

El Pais (Spain)

The only unique virtue of screenwriter Neil Simon is to modernize characters of the conservative comedies of the 1920s and 1930s. [Full Review in Spanish]

Aug 27, 2019

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Chuck O'Leary

FulvueDrive-in.com

Rated: 3/5

May 7, 2007

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Audience Member

Not among Simon and Ross' funniest collaborations, 'Pictures' still serves as a moderately amusing romp through the ups and downs of Tinseltown life. A dynamic lead trio and enough quick banter help cover its rather simple tale of father & daughter reunion.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

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Audience Member

so so drama based on a neil simon play

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

I was worried this movie would come off as dated, but it really doesn't. The story stands the test of time and the movie industry hasn't changed at all it seems. Written by Neil Simon, scenes tend to feel stage-y, but it works okay. I did find it a bit hard to sit through, but for the most part the writing and acting was spot on. Kind of wish the resolution was stronger as it kind of has a "stage" ending which doesn't feel as satisfactory.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

If I had a father in Hollywood who was a screenwriter that I hadn't seen in a couple years & there was maybe a chance he'd hook me up, I might move to Hollywood to.I watched this movie just because it had Walter Matthau in it & he was OK I guess but it wasn't all that great.I found Dinah Manoff's character to be annoying & whiny

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I was worried this movie would come off as dated, but it really doesn't. The story stands the test of time and the movie industry hasn't changed at all it seems. Written by Neil Simon, scenes tend to feel stage-y, but it works okay. I did find it a bit hard to sit through, but for the most part the writing and acting was spot on. Kind of wish the resolution was stronger as it kind of has a "stage" ending which doesn't feel as satisfactory.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

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Herbert Ross

Director

Walter Matthau

Herbert Tucker

Ann-Margret

Steffy Blondell

Dinah Manoff

Libby Tucker

Lance Guest

Gordon

Lewis Smith

Soldier

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Synopsis

Headstrong 19-year-old Libby Tucker (Dinah Manoff) impulsively hitchhikes from her native New York City to Hollywood, Calif., to visit her long-estranged screenwriter father, Herbert (Walter Matthau). An aspiring actress, Libby expects Herbert to atone for running out on her when she was a baby by helping to make her a star. But it soon becomes clear that the underemployed Herbert and his hairdresser girlfriend, Steffy (Ann-Margret), are not in a position to advance anyone else's career.

Director: Herbert Ross
Producer: Herbert Ross, Neil Simon
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Mar 31, 2015
Runtime: 1h 47m