Modern Romance (1981)

85% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(1,384 ratings)

Opening well past the point favored by most romantic comedies, director/co-writer/star Albert Brooks' take on the genre begins with a breakup. After exchanging harsh words in a diner, Brooks and Kathryn Harrold go their separate ways. Brooks then spends the next few days attempting to forget his… More Opening well past the point favored by most romantic comedies, director/co-writer/star Albert Brooks' take on the genre begins with a breakup. After exchanging harsh words in a diner, Brooks and Kathryn Harrold go their separate ways. Brooks then spends the next few days attempting to forget his troubles through work, exercise, drugs, and other women, torturing himself at each step. While it's hinted early on that this isn't the couple's first breakup, it eventually becomes clear that the they have cycled through the same events for even longer than expected. Meanwhile, Brooks' character, a film editor assisted by Bruno Kirby, attempts to put the finishing touches on his latest assignment, a none-too-promising space adventure starring George Kennedy and helmed by a details-obsessed director (James L. Brooks). ~ Keith Phipps, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Albert Brooks
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 13, 1981 Wide
On DVD: Jan 24, 2006

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The first part of the film is farcical and very funny.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Ends up more insightful than funny.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
In Albert Brooks' second comedy, which is both funny and irritating (some of it by design), he plays a nuerotic film editor who's unable to sustain a normal relationship
Derek Adams, Time Out
Extremely funny, ultra-hip and alarmingly insightful.
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
A piercing ego-autopsy disguised as vanilla '80s comedy.
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
Nearly as much as Jerry Lewis, Albert Brooks's comic persona is defined by its unlikability.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
makes the repetition and relative tameness of the primary plot seem all the more obvious
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Modern Romance explores the dangers of possessive love.
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
Brooks can be very funny, but sometimes his whining mutes the laughs.
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
Another obsessive classic from Albert Brooks
, Film4
Brooks brings his inimitable brand of dry comedy to this look at the world f relationships.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Not Brooks at his best, but still amusing

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Wu C

Shows how jealousy can ruin relationships and cause unneeded stress with whoever involved.
alan j

One of the funniest movies ever made..a few scenes I never laughed so hard...dont miss this one!!!!!!!!!