Lonelyhearts

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Lonelyhearts

1958

1h 41m

Drama

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

49%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Burdened by a family secret, Adam White (Montgomery Clift) lands a job as a newspaper advice columnist. Little does he realize that it's all part of a nasty desire by cynical editor William Shrike (Robert Ryan) to crush the souls of his underlings. Adam feels his readers' pain, and eventually he takes an assignment to meet with Faye Doyle (Maureen Stapleton), who is exasperated by her crippled husband. When Faye tries to seduce Adam, he must choose between his job and his girl (Dolores Hart).

Jonas Mekas

Village Voice

Montgomery Clift, though perfectly cast, is unable to save the film by himself.

Apr 20, 2022

Full Review

Time Out

It's gripping if a little repetitive.

May 8, 2012

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Consistently fine performances by an exceptionally well-balanced cast give further cause for regarding this endeavor with appreciation and respect.

May 8, 2012

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Kathy Fennessy

Video Librarian Magazine

Shot by John Alton (He Walked by Night), a cinematographer famed for his expertise with light and shadow, Lonelyhearts resembles a film noir, but it's more of a character study, since Adam, though well-intentioned, is also a bit of a fake and a fraud.

Jan 23, 2023

Full Review

Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

...a sentimental, toothless, and oddly optimistic film worth seeing only for its actors and cinematography.

Rated: 4/10

Dec 8, 2022

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Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

An odd but touching look at journalism and empathy, with Montgomery Clift playing a writer struggling with the morality of his role as an advice columnist to the lovelorn.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 28, 2022

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Martin B

Near perfect casting, great acting all sabatazed by a ridiculous script. An event no matter how preposterous with a young man doing something completely out of character with and unlikely partner in a casual sex encounter simply to move the plot from the start to the inevitable ending that was supposed to give the movie meaning. Never have seen such a waste of great acting talent.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/11/25

Full Review

Fiona S

Montgomery Clift commits a great acting crime by looking like he is acting! He was 15 years years too old at 38 to play a naive idealistic journalist. Consequently his performance is awkward as he screws his face into odd expressions, and layers fake patheticness. It's a beautifully worded script lifted from the highly literary play. Patchy but thoughtful for its concepts. Coulda been ...

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/28/24

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nick s

It's a bit of a slow burner, and at the start not obvious where the story is going. The wonderful acting keeps you engaged through the lulls. But if you have patience the movie does reveal itself to be a well thought out drama with a point to make. Excellent cinematography too with some beautifully lit scenes.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/28/24

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steve d

Cliff and the rest of the cast give strong performances.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Clift and Loy develop a bond that centers this film. The other performances are much better than average. The only problem is with the script -- something the actors maneuvered around to turn this into a very fine work of art.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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panayiota k

The handsome and amazing Montgomery Clift explores journalism, values, self-questioning. relationships?

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Vincent J. Donehue

Director

Montgomery Clift

Adam White

Robert Ryan

William Shrike

Myrna Loy

Florence Shrike

Dolores Hart

Justy Sargeant

Maureen Stapleton

Fay Doyle

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Synopsis

Burdened by a family secret, Adam White (Montgomery Clift) lands a job as a newspaper advice columnist. Little does he realize that it's all part of a nasty desire by cynical editor William Shrike (Robert Ryan) to crush the souls of his underlings. Adam feels his readers' pain, and eventually he takes an assignment to meet with Faye Doyle (Maureen Stapleton), who is exasperated by her crippled husband. When Faye tries to seduce Adam, he must choose between his job and his girl (Dolores Hart).

Director: Vincent J. Donehue
Producer: Dore Schary
Screenwriter: Dore Schary
Production Co: Dore Schary Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 41m