Melvin and Howard

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Melvin and Howard

R

Released Sep 19, 1980

1h 35m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

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22 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

When luckless dreamer Melvin Dummar (Paul Le Mat) rescues a grizzled, half-dead man (Jason Robards) from the desert, he's skeptical of the man's claim that he's actually reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. But in the wake of Hughes' death a decade later, a will appears naming Melvin the recipient of $156 million, and a media circus ensues. Accused of forgery, Melvin vigorously maintains his innocence despite a strong intuition that he'll never see any of the money.

Critics Consensus

A spirited character study and clear-eyed treatise of the American Dream, Melvin and Howard hits the jackpot with its lovable cast and director Jonathan Demme's humanism.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Melvin and Howard has the same beautiful, dippy warmth as its characters.

Sep 12, 2023

Full Review

Tim Pulleine

Sight & Sound

Affectionately good-humoured as much of the observation is... the film's eye is, if never savage, then sometimes at least moderately scathing.

Jul 11, 2018

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Robards is a chillingly effective Hughes. But this movie belongs to Paul Le Mat, as Dummar.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...striking, engrossing...

Rated: 3/4

Mar 16, 2022

Full Review

Larry Vitacco

Philadelphia Gay News

Tak Fujimoto's photography and Craig McKay's editing are without fault.

Rated: 3/4

May 27, 2020

Full Review

Pat Padua

Spectrum Culture

Hypnotic shots of asphalt echo Two-Lane Blacktop, Easy Rider and other American road movies while forging its own human path - not of counterculture, but of connection.

Aug 28, 2018

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Vincent S.

An American classic that started the genius of Jonathan Demme!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/27/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 35 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

Full Review

Geke g

As good as The ghost by Mel Gibson

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

Full Review

Munkhchimeg T

Really nice movie. The 80s vibe is so good. Best movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/24

Full Review

Alec B

As with all Demme movies the characters are observed in such wonderful details. All of those quick little close-ups of the cast (especially Steenburgen) really get you to empathize with with them.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/10/24

Full Review

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Jonathan Demme

Director

Paul Le Mat

Melvin Dummar

Jason Robards

Howard Hughes

Mary Steenburgen

Lynda Dummar

Jack Kehoe

Jim Delgado

Pamela Reed

Bonnie Dummar

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Synopsis

When luckless dreamer Melvin Dummar (Paul Le Mat) rescues a grizzled, half-dead man (Jason Robards) from the desert, he's skeptical of the man's claim that he's actually reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. But in the wake of Hughes' death a decade later, a will appears naming Melvin the recipient of $156 million, and a media circus ensues. Accused of forgery, Melvin vigorously maintains his innocence despite a strong intuition that he'll never see any of the money.

Director: Jonathan Demme
Producer: Art Linson, Don Phillips
Screenwriter: Bo Goldman
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 1980, Original
Release Date (DVD): Mar 9, 2004
Runtime: 1h 35m