I can’t decide if it was because American comedy mores have changed so dramatically since 1972 that I only found this puzzling and frustrating, rather than funny.* Perhaps it was the subject matter that tanked it for me.** Overall, I just didn’t understand what the ultimate message I was supposed to take away from this film.***
Cost: free on YouTube
Where watched: at home, while painting toenails purple.
*But then, again, I found the director’s previous film, A New Leaf, quite amusing.
**Just as in Mikey and Nicky, Elaine May excels at putting women in wrenching scenes. I will always remember the scene in the restaurant with the excellent pecan pie as being incredibly awful to watch. Poor Jeannie Berlin! Though I do agree with the sentiments expressed on the poster.
***Thus, I look forward to the Filmspotting discussion. I’m also curious about the 2007 remake. It looks like an awful movie, but the status of women has changed a bit since 1971, so I’m curious as to the update. The remake is written by a woman, so perhaps I will watch it, if only to keep the #womenfilmsbywomen going.
poster from: http://www.impawards.com/1972/heartbreak_kid.html
(I really like the poster. And you can see the fold marks!)
I love the detail about the purple toenail polish! The fold marks are rather delightful! Apparently there is a 2007 version.
Yeah, there’s something about comedies from the 1970s that I’m just not keen on. I think it’s just not a favorite time period of mine for film in general. Only the 1950s were more lackluster to me.