Austin Pendleton, Burt Reynolds, Candice Bergen

Until Boogie Nights, this film had stood for almost two decades as the best performance Burt Reynolds had ever given. In a criminal oversight, he was denied an Oscar nomination, perhaps because...( read more  read more... ) it came in the middle of his action-movie winning streak. Directed by Alan Pakula from a script by James L. Brooks, the film cast Reynolds as a newly divorced man struggling to cope with single life in the city. But a blind date (initially misconstrued by the woman as a mugging) leads to renewed hope in romance when he and his new lady friend (Jill Clayburgh) actually seem right for each other. But before he can make a commitment, his flighty ex-wife (Candice Bergen) bounces back into his life to make him miserable all over again with her flirtatious indecisiveness. Wonderfully acted and observed; a highpoint is Bergen's attempt (as the world's least talented singer-songwriter) to seduce Reynolds with one of her off-key tunes. --Marshall Fine

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43% liked it

1,171 ratings

R, 105 min.

Directed by: Alan J. Pakula

Release Date: October 5, 1979

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DVD Release Date: June 21, 2005

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Flixster Reviews (41)


  • October 7, 2007
    Watching a film like this 25 years after it was made makes it a bit difficult to rate.
    I'm sure it would have received more stars if rated 25 years ago and may possibly receive more in 20 years when it can be called a classic.
    In a day and age where divorce is "normal" it is no...( read more)t easy to understand the problematic that came with it in the 70s.

    An interesting film for real film fans but probably not so much for those after good modern entertainment.
  • August 21, 2009
    Decent romantic comedy. Burt Reynolds is surprisingly good and he gives one of his best performances. Candice Bergen is hilarious as the woman he is separated from. I have never been a fan of Jill Clayburgh, but she is pretty good in this one.
  • June 15, 2009
    Interesting considering the cast.
  • October 17, 2007
    I really tru;ly enjoyed this movie! One of 2 movies where jill Clayburgh dazzled!!
  • July 16, 2007
    Good - but been awhile since I've seen it.
  • December 7, 2006
    A very funny and delightful romantic/comedy that has great performances by Burt Reynold, Jill Clayburgh and Candice Bergen (the latter two earning Oscar nods for their roles). The nicley well-written (by James L. Brooks, who also produced), Alan J. Pakula's direction is solid and...( read more) the supporting cast are aslo really good. A great, likeable film.
  • June 26, 2006
    Candice Bergen singing in this movie is one of the most frightening things I've ever witnessed.

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