Fantastic film. Needs a restoration.

DVD

men should watch this so they understand why women think they're dumb...

“Certainly I remember Florida. I’ll never forget it. But this is Minnesota, and I’ve got Political Science, and I’ve gotta go.” 

read quite a few reviews that essentially summed elaine may’s sophomore film up as a a fusion of her comedy partner mike nichols’s The Graduate and the improvisational style of john cassavetes, which initially made me think “hmmm ..... love mike and john but .... why are we tying elaine’s accomplishments to her male collaborators ...“ 

then i watched it and realized 
these reviews were accurate, which really drove home the film’s message of “nothing is ever as simple as you think it is and you have no idea what you want, idiot”

the graduate seems to be the most obvious point of comparison but when watching, i was struck by the similarities to martin scorsese's the king of comedy. this movie is supposed to be hilarious and it's hilarious precisely because of the odious, oblivious main character, much like rupert pupkin. we are meant to be hideously uncomfortable because lenny does not understand social graces nor does he comprehend himself, his effect on others, or what he wants. we laugh at him, not with him.

elaine may is officially the patron saint of unlikeable male characters harmed by their own inability to connect or understand themselves, by the way. marty who?

100

"Sometimes I'll start a sentence, and I don't even know where it's going. I just hope I find it along the way. Like an improv conversation. An improversation."

- Michael Scott/the general mood of Charles Grodin in this sharp, cutting masterwork. Elaine May's best, easily a top five 70s picture, why aren't you watching this right now?

There is a perpetual myth in our lives that happiness is out there if we let go of what we have. Brilliant. My only issues with it are that isn't as brash or bold as May's other features (apparently Simon made her jump through hoops to make any changes to the script), but she has a way of framing that sparks laughter/terror. Going through the library last week, shocking how over half the books on female directors fail to even mention Elaine May. WTF academia?

this is some next level simping

You know those men who make ‘ball and chain’ jokes in reference to marriage and constantly talk about how they hate their wife even though they’re awful, selfish husbands and chose to enter this marriage willingly? Elaine May made this movie as a fuck you to those kind of men. Love her for that.

And to think I used to think Annie Hall was as anti-rom-com as it got.

Surprised I never heard of this film until I watched tonight for class. This was genuinely a funny movie, at least funnier than I expected. Even though the vast majority of the movie is very plainly-shot dialogue scenes, this movie had me absolutely rolling all while legitimately hating this awful, everybody-knows-him type main character.
It may just be the time period but it reminds me of The Graduate only instead of trying to make us sympathize with our impulsive and lovestruck protagonist, May ensures that we look on with disgust at his behavior and laugh at his misfortune.

a strong case for premarital sex

terrific! i can't believe this isn't a popular recognized classic. the scene of lenny "laying his cards on the table" is one of the most uncomfortable and hilarious i've ever seen. charles grodin is way too convincing in this role- it's endlessly entertaining to watch such an idiotic, ignorant character. screenplay is also brilliant, elaine may is a wonderful director. i need to see more of her work.

Why did he marry her if they know jackshit about each other?

elaine may is the only feminist philosopher...

There's no insincerity in those potatoes.

They should have said that to us at the door... they should have warned us that there was a danger of running out of pecan pie.

Mr. Corcoran: Not if they tied me to a horse and pulled me forty miles by my tongue.
Lenny Cantrow: I respect your frankness.

THE GOLD STANDARD FOR ROM-COM DIALOGUE

“Certainly I remember Florida. I’ll never forget it. But this is Minnesota, and I’ve got Political Science, and I’ve gotta go.” 

16/52

i can appreciate and understand the praise for this but i couldn't quite connect with this.... i wanted to laugh at charles grodin being a piece of shit but it just made me soo annoyed and angry and the funny moments couldn't save this:/ nicely acted though jeannie berlin saved this for me <3

The humor is so dry and subtle in this film that it barely registers as a comedy.

This movie is The Graduate for assholes. Then again, The Graduate is already The Graduate for assholes. I might even prefer this over The Graduate simply because this film is never complicit in the asinine behavior of its protagonist. Lenny spends the entire film being a selfish, moronic asshole, and the movie never tries to pass it off as endearing or pitiable. Unlike The Graduate where Ben is considered one of the most relatable film protagonists ever. But that film has a perfect ending. This film's final stretch is a little puzzling, the only logical conclusion for this film would have been a big old crash and burn but that's not what happens at all. What the hell are we supposed to take away from The Heartbreak Kid? Your partner won't cure you from being an inept buffoon? I think this could have stuck its landing better. The first hour is one of the greatest cringe compilations in cinema history.

Interesting film with tough characters you'll hate. I almost feel like i need to watch it again to get everything. I loved Cybill Shepherd tho. Elaine May does really show how garbage men are.

Had to write my jews on film midterm on this movie and I loved it...Lenny I know why you do what you do but why do you do what you do

!!!!!