Portnoy's Complaint (1972)
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25% want to see it
(4 ratings)
Screenwriter Ernest Lehman, whose credits include the screenplays for North by Northwest, Sabrina, West Side Story, and The Sweet Smell of Success, made a less than distinguished debut as a director with this adaptation of Philip Roth's controversial novel about Alexander Portnoy (Richard… More Screenwriter Ernest Lehman, whose credits include the screenplays for North by Northwest, Sabrina, West Side Story, and The Sweet Smell of Success, made a less than distinguished debut as a director with this adaptation of Philip Roth's controversial novel about Alexander Portnoy (Richard Benjamin), a Jewish man who, during a session with his analyst, goes on one long tirade after another about his family, his childhood, his sexual fantasies and desires, his problems with women, and his obsession with his own Judaism. If ever there was a novel that by its nature would defy accurate presentation onscreen, this was it; but for all its flaws, Portnoy's Complaint does feature a few good performances, most notably Karen Black as Portnoy's Gentile lust object, "The Monkey," Jeannie Berlin as the memorably named local slattern Bubbles Girardi, and Jill Clayburgh as Naomi, a woman Portnoy meets in Israel. Lehman never directed again. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Ernest Lehman
- Genres
- Comedy
R,
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Ineptly directed.
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Cast
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Richard Benjamin
as Alexander Portnoy
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Karen Black
as Mary Jane Reid
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Lee Grant
as Sophie Portnoy
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Jack Somack
as Jack Portnoy
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Jeannie Berlin
as Bubbles Girardi
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Jill Clayburgh
as Naomi
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D.P. Barnes
as Dr. Otto Spielvogel
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Tony Brande
as Cab Driver
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John Carradine
as Judge
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Francesca De Sapio
as Lina
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Mike de Anda
as Mr. Harero
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Renee Lippin
as Hannah Portnoy
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William Pabst
as Inn Clerk
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Lewis J. Stadlen
as Mandel
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Carmen Zapata
as Mrs. Harero
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Eleanor Zee
as Woman in Hospital Bed
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Kevin Conway
as Smolka
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Jessica Rains
as Girl In Office
