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Melvin and Howard

Play trailer Poster for Melvin and Howard R 1980 1h 35m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 60% 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.
Melvin and Howard

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker 09/12/2023
Melvin and Howard has the same beautiful, dippy warmth as its characters. Go to Full Review Tim Pulleine Sight & Sound 07/11/2018
Affectionately good-humoured as much of the observation is... the film's eye is, if never savage, then sometimes at least moderately scathing. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 10/23/2004
3.5/4
Robards is a chillingly effective Hughes. But this movie belongs to Paul Le Mat, as Dummar. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 03/16/2022
3/4
...striking, engrossing... Go to Full Review Larry Vitacco Philadelphia Gay News 05/27/2020
3/4
Tak Fujimoto's photography and Craig McKay's editing are without fault. Go to Full Review Pat Padua Spectrum Culture 08/28/2018
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Vincent S. @Vin_E_At_The_Movies Aug 25 An American classic that started the genius of Jonathan Demme! See more thiago s @Thiagostone Jul 27 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 See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 22 Funny in 1 hour and 35 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Geke g 08/05/2024 As good as The ghost by Mel Gibson See more Munkhchimeg T 08/05/2024 Really nice movie. The 80s vibe is so good. Best movie See more Alec B 01/10/2024 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. See more Read all reviews
Melvin and Howard

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Cast & Crew

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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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Melvin and Howard

Melvin and Howard (1980) Melvin and Howard (1980) View more photos

Movie Info

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