The Goodbye Girl (1977)

87% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
83% of users liked it
(7,073 ratings)

Marsha Mason is known as "The Goodbye Girl" because of all the live-in boyfriends who have said ta-ta to her in the past few years. A former Broadway chorus dancer, the divorced Mason lives in the Manhattan apartment of her latest lost love with her daughter Quinn Cummings. Enter arrogant actor… More Marsha Mason is known as "The Goodbye Girl" because of all the live-in boyfriends who have said ta-ta to her in the past few years. A former Broadway chorus dancer, the divorced Mason lives in the Manhattan apartment of her latest lost love with her daughter Quinn Cummings. Enter arrogant actor Richard Dreyfuss, who has subleased the apartment from Mason's former boyfriend and moves in bag and baggage in the middle of the night. Dreyfuss and Mason spend the next few weeks getting in each other's way and fighting like cats and dogs. The wind is taken out of Dreyfuss' sails when he opens in a production of Richard III, which has been sabotaged by the director (Paul Benjamin), who insists that Dreyfuss portrays Richard as a hip-swinging homosexual. The play closes after one performance, and the once-overconfident Dreyfuss goes on a self-pitying drunken binge. Touched by his vulnerability, Mason begins falling in love with Dreyfuss despite her lousy track record with men. Richard Dreyfuss became the youngest ever "Best Actor" Oscar winner as a result of his performance. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Herbert Ross
Written By: Neil Simon
Genres: Comedy, Romance

In Theaters: Nov 30, 1977 Wide
On DVD: Jan 18, 2000
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Stagey, literal, and sentimental, this romantic film is mediocre in every respect, writing by Neil Simon, direction by Herbert Ross.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Broadway-like funny romantic comedy sitcom about struggling Manhattan actors, that has its awkward moments.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Dreyfuss got his Oscar for this Neil Simon romantic comedy costarring Marsha Mason.
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Dreyfuss is great but the movie has not held up well.
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
Emblematic of the underside of 70s American film.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A bittersweet love story by Neil Simon.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Dreyfuss' Oscar-winning performance and the chemistry between him and Mason, plus Neil Simon script make this an entertaining watch.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Cassie H

A woman, Paula (Marsha Mason) & a man, Elliott Garfield (Richard Dreyfuss) are forced to share an apartment after Tony DeForrest, an actor who took care of Paula & her 10 year old daughter Lucy (Quinn Cummings in her first role) left & Elliott was next to sublet the… More
A woman, Paula (Marsha Mason) & a man, Elliott Garfield (Richard Dreyfuss) are forced to share an apartment after Tony DeForrest, an actor who took care of Paula & her 10 year old daughter Lucy (Quinn Cummings in her first role) left & Elliott was next to sublet the apartment. Elliott acts as Richard lll in an off-off broadway play. Paula & Elliott fight through the duration of the film until they learn to appreciate one & another fall in love. The chemistry between Dreyfuss & Mason is wonderful & Quinn Cummings shines in the role of Mason's daughter Lucy. Another part that is funny is when Dreyfuss is acting as Richard lll :) Richard Dreyfuss's best film :) Everyone needs to see this movie :) It's just ahhhhhmazing! :) :) :) :)
Spencer S

This is not your average love hate relationship. Dreyfuss deserved his Oscar, and everyone deserves to see this film.
Mark H

Winning love story, written by Neil Simon, has great chemistry between its leads. Scenes where Dreyfuss is a flamboyant Richard III are side-splitting.
Red L

I quite enjoyed this film. Elliot (Richard Dreyfuss) and Paula (Marsha Mason) are forced to share a New York apartment. They grow from hating to appreciating each other. Dreyfuss won an Academy award for his part, but Quinn Cummings as Paula's daughter does wonderfully in her… More
I quite enjoyed this film. Elliot (Richard Dreyfuss) and Paula (Marsha Mason) are forced to share a New York apartment. They grow from hating to appreciating each other. Dreyfuss won an Academy award for his part, but Quinn Cummings as Paula's daughter does wonderfully in her role. The gay Richard III is a lark too.
xGary X

Neil Simon scripted rom com that has the kind of affectionate wit Woody Allen used to be so good at. Dreyfuss has never been more likeable, and Richard III in drag is hilarious!
Anthony V

Maybe its slightly dated, and a bit stagy, but still has some hilarious and touching moments. Dreyfuss steals the show as the upcoming actor Elliott Garfield in a star making performance. Quinn Cummings is fantastic as the daughter, who seems more mature than her mother at times.… More
Maybe its slightly dated, and a bit stagy, but still has some hilarious and touching moments. Dreyfuss steals the show as the upcoming actor Elliott Garfield in a star making performance. Quinn Cummings is fantastic as the daughter, who seems more mature than her mother at times. However, I'm not a big Marsha Mason fan, and her performance did nothing to win me over. Herbert Ross proves to be a better than competent director, perhaps having a certain affinity to the material.
Lizzy B

This is a total chick flick... but guys can definitely appreciate Richard Dreyfus's smoothness and wit in this classic love/hate/adore romantic comedy.
cody f

Cute little love story back when Dreyfuss was passionate about acting.Good date movie.

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Richard Dreyfuss as Elliott Garfield

            Marsha Mason as Paula McFadden

            Quinn Cummings as Lucy McFadden

            Paul Benedict as Mark Morgenweiss

            Barbara Rhoades as Donna

            Theresa Merritt as Mrs. Crosby

            Michael Shawn as Ronnie

            Patricia Pearcy as Rhonda

            Raymond J. Barry as Richard III Cast

            Victoria Boothby as Mrs. Bodine

            Powers Boothe as Richard III Cast

            Joseph Carberry as Strip Club Customer

            Gene Castle as Assistant Choreographer

            Loyita Chapel as Strip Club Dancer

            Robert Costanzo as Liquor Store Salesman

            Anita Dangler as Mrs. Morganweiss

            Tom Everett as Richard III Cast

            Clarence Felder as Critic

            Jeanne Lange as Richard III Cast

            Dana Laurita as Cynthia

            Robert Lesser as Richard III Cast

            Daniel Levans as Dance Instructor

            David Matthau as Furniture Mover

            Fred McCarren as Richard III Cast

            Nicholas Mele as Richard III Cast

            Maureen Moore as Richard III Cast

            Milt Oberman as Furniture Mover

            Joe Regalbuto as Richard III Cast

            Marilyn Sokol as Linda

            Esther Sutherland as Strip Club Manager

            Nicol Williamson as Oliver Frye

            Wendy Cutler as Improvisation Group

            Andy Goldberg as Improvisation Group

            Janice Fuller as Richard III Cast

            Hubert Kelly as Mugger

            Eddie Villery as Painter

            Peter Vogt as Richard III Cast

            Dave Cass as Drunk

            Paul Willson as Improvisation Group
See full cast

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