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Lonelyhearts

Play trailer Poster for Lonelyhearts 1958 1h 41m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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70% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 50% 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).
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Lonelyhearts

Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review steve d Cliff and the rest of the cast give strong performances. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review 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 Full Review panayiota k The handsome and amazing Montgomery Clift explores journalism, values, self-questioning. relationships? Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Lonelyhearts

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Cast & Crew

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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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Lonelyhearts

Lonelyhearts (1958) Lonelyhearts (1958) Lonelyhearts (1958) Lonelyhearts (1958) Lonelyhearts (1958) View more photos

Movie Info

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
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