Murphy's Romance (1985)
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93% of critics liked it
(15 reviews) -
69% of users liked it
(6,323 ratings)
Newly divorced Emma Moriarty (Sally Field) moves herself and her young son to a small Arizona town, hoping to establish a horse farm. Town pharmacist Murphy Jones (James Garner), the town's most eligible bachelor, develops a platonic friendship with Emma, but he decides to keep his distance when… More Newly divorced Emma Moriarty (Sally Field) moves herself and her young son to a small Arizona town, hoping to establish a horse farm. Town pharmacist Murphy Jones (James Garner), the town's most eligible bachelor, develops a platonic friendship with Emma, but he decides to keep his distance when her ex-husband Bobby Jack (Brian Kerwin), who claims he's changed his irresponsible ways, moves back in with her. At a party at Emma's ranch, Murphy and Bobby Jack get into a verbal row, but nothing is settled until Wanda (Anna Levine) shows up with two babies in tow, claiming that Bobby Jack is the father. Once rid of her ex, Emma commisserates with her friend Murphy at his drug store--and is quite surprised to discover that she's fallen in love with the older man, and he with her. Murphy's Romance is a very gentle romantic comedy; even Murphy's cast-away lady friend (Georgann Johnson) behaves like a civilized human being instead of a woman scorned. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Martin Ritt
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Comedy
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Dec 25, 1985 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Mildly engaging but well acted romantic melodrama, especially by James Garner, who received his first and only Best Actor Oscar nomination for playing a small-town pharmacist.
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Frank Ochieng, Movie Eye
A quirky May-December romancer that's subtle and low key in its sweetness. Garner and Field make for an unlikely romantic tandem
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Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Amiable light rom-com.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A delightful romantic comedy about a widower and a single parent who learn to listen once again to the promptings of the hearts when love surprises them.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Sally Field
as Emma Moriarty
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James Garner
as Murphy Jones
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Brian Kerwin
as Bobby Jack Moriarty
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Corey Haim
as Jake Moriarty
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Dennis Burkley
as Freeman Coverly
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Georgann Johnson
as Margaret
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John C. Becher
as Jesse Pinker
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Gene Blakely
as Lucius Holt
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Michael Crabtree
as Jim Forrest
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Dortha Duckworth
as Bessie
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Bruce French
as Rex Boyd
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Ted Gehring
as Auctioneer
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Carole King
as Tillie
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Anna Levine
as Wanda
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Peggy McCay
as Mrs. Willis
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Ron Nix
as Auction Bidder
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Michael Prokopuk
as Albert
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Ray Sharkey
as Larry Le Beau
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Henry Slate
as Fred Hite
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Charles Lane
as Amos Abbott
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Irving Ravetch
as Customer
- Ilene Starger
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Sherry Lynn Amorosi
as Doris
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Johnny Ray Anthony
as Auction Bidder
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Hugh Burritt
as Kid in Car Crash
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Mike Casper
as Hay Trucker
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Eugene Cochran
as Jonas
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C. Ray Cook
as Voice at Bingo Game
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Michael Firel
as Clerk
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Marian Gibson
as Mrs. Abbott
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John Higgenbotham
as Boy at Barbecue
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Michael Hungerford
as Auction Bidder
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Drasha Meyer
as Ice Cream Lady
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Paul E. Pinnt
as Auction Bidder
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Tom Rankin
as Ben
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Joshua Ravetch
as Henry Bass
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Art Royer
as Clerk
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Patricia Ann Willoughby
as Lil
- Dianne Crittenden
