The Heartbreak Kid (1972)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Elaine May

Writers:

Bruce Jay Friedman (story)
Neil Simon (screenplay)

Release Date:

12 May 1973 (Japan)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

Three days into his Miami honeymoon, New York Jewish Lenny meets tall, blonde Kelly. This confirms him...

Plot Keywords:

Honeymoon | Newlywed | Marriage | Male Female Relationship | Unrequited Love

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Charles Grodin	...	Lenny Cantrow
Cybill Shepherd	...	Kelly Corcoran
Jeannie Berlin	...	Lila Kolodny
Audra Lindley	...	Mrs. Corcoran
Eddie Albert	...	Mr. Corcoran
Mitchell Jason	...	Cousin Ralph
William Prince	...	Colorado Man
Augusta Dabney	...	Colorado Woman
Doris Roberts	...	Mrs. Cantrow
Marilyn Putnam	...	Mrs. Kolodny
Jack Hausman	...	Mr. Kolodny
Erik Lee Preminger	...	Pecan Pie Waiter
Art Metrano	...	Entertainer
Tim Browne	...	Kelly's Boyfriend
Jean Scoppa	...	Flower Girl

Also Known As:

Neil Simon's The Heartbreak Kid (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

106 min | West Germany:89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (TVC)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:AA (1972) | UK:PG (1986) | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | USA:PG | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Bloomington, Minnesota, USA

Company:

Palomar Pictures

Goofs:

Continuity: Lenny first has his arm on Lila's shoulder, then off, when at the Port of Call.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: The Heartbroke Kid (#16.17)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Close to You

An Unforgettable Treasure

An artful mixture of deft, laugh-out-loud comedy, interspersed with touching poignant moments, makes this film special and unforgettable. Elaine May's direction was delicate yet purposeful, allowing for the superb development of characters ( in particular Eddie Albert's curmudgeonly businessman/father) without impeding the flow of the plot.

In this social portrayal of the Peter Principle, the glib, shallow Lenny somehow talks himself to dizzying social and economic heights all without the benefit of a pedigree or occupational skill set. Albert's father figure takes no time at all to see through all of this; but he is outnumbered by his wife and daughter who succumb to Lenny's charms. You can't help but feel this man's helpless pain in having to watch his lovely, impressionable daughter lured into a clearly doomed marriage.

Cybil Shephard, Eddie Albert and Charles Grondin all turned in career performances. This show was one of those rare times when everything (directing, writing and acting) came together to create something greater than the sum of its parts - it's a real treasure.