The Lonely Guy (1983)

48% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
46% of users liked it
(4,670 ratings)

In a comedy as flat as the cardboard cut-outs of movie stars that appear in one scene, Steve Martin plays Larry Hubbard, a wild and lonely guy who has been dumped by his girlfriend. Since misery loves company, he takes up with Warren, a fellow Lonely Guy (Charles Grodin), and eventually both Warren… More In a comedy as flat as the cardboard cut-outs of movie stars that appear in one scene, Steve Martin plays Larry Hubbard, a wild and lonely guy who has been dumped by his girlfriend. Since misery loves company, he takes up with Warren, a fellow Lonely Guy (Charles Grodin), and eventually both Warren and Larry find some surprising companions, especially after Larry writes a best-selling Lonely Guy Guide. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Arthur Hiller
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 27, 1984 Wide
On DVD: Dec 15, 1998
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Martin's trademark wacky humor is fitfully in evidence, but seems much more repressed than usual in order to fit into the relatively realistic world of single working people.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The kind of movie that seems to have been made to play in empty theaters on overcast January afternoons.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
It tries a little bit of everything, and winds up with an air of messy desperation.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Arthur Hiller's direction exudes a flavorless professionalism, a quality that doesn't count for much in this context.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A mindless comedy that's about as funny as a life sentence in solitary confinement.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Funny stuff.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An inventive comic meditation on being single.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Alternando o besteirol e a comédia de situações, o filme é consistentemente engraçado e surpreendentemente sensível. Um dos melhores da carreira de Steve Martin.
Richard Luck, Film4
The least satisfying of Steve Martin's early movies.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Martin and pathos just don't mix.
Larry Carroll, Countingdown.com
Very funny, early Steve Martin comedy. Has some great bits including a gag with spary-on sweat and another with cardboard stand-ups doubling as friends for lonely guys. Not Martin's funniest film, but it's up there.
Bob Grimm, Las Vegas Mercury
Gets funnier with age.

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

If you're sad and lonely, watch this great comedy, you'll still be lonely but at least you wont be sad about it anymore!
xGary X

Mildly amusing sitcom in which Steve Martin discovers that being a pathetic loser has it's upside. The script was by Neil Simon, which explains it's "Woody Allen lite" feeling. Inoffensive, but rarely hilarious.
Naughtia N

The title of this movie pretty much says it all. This is a movie about a lonely guy who is searching for some love. He's tormented by his own loneliness and this movie follows him in his search for a woman to fall in love with. A classic Steve Martin movie, very good.
Wu C

One of the weakest of Martin's 80s movies. Quite dated, but still worth a watch if you're a hardcore fan.

Cast

            Steve Martin as Larry Hubbard

            Charles Grodin as Warren Evans

            Judith Ivey as Iris

            Steve Lawrence as Jack Fenwick

            Robyn Douglass as Danielle

            Joyce Brothers as Herself

            Randi Brough as Schneider Twin

            Julie Payne as Rental Agent

            Madison Arnold as Lonely cop

            Dominic Barto as Holdup Man No.2

            Ed Beheler as Jimmy Carter Look-alike

            Leslie Bevis as One of the Seven Deadly Sins

            Hunt Block as Couple in Bar

            Charles Bouvier as Lonely Guy

            Charles de Vries as Ship's Maitre d'

            Richard Delmonte as Raul

            Lamya Derval as One of the Seven Deadly Sins

            Badja Djola as Native

            Matthew Faison as Lonely Guy

            Jenny Gago as One of the Seven Deadly Sins

            Michael Greer as Counterman

            Daniel P. Hannafin as Park Guard

            Erica Hiller as Carol Girl in Bank

            Erik Holland as Ship's Officer

            Rance Howard as Minister

            Gloria Irizarry as Woman at Elevated

            Billy James as Bridge Jumper #2

            Marie Laurin as One of the even Deadly Sins

            Alan Leach as Bookstore Man

            José Martinez as Gang Member

            Nicholas Mele as Maitre d'

            Santos Morales as Janitor

            Kenneth W. O'Brien as Holdup Man

            Hardy Rawls as Man on Roof

            Roger Robinson as Greeting card supervisor

            Stephanie Segal as Agent at Party

            Beau Starr as Cop No. 2

            Joan Sweeny as Girl in Blood Bank

            George Tyne as Director at Party

            Leslie Wing as Brenda Girl in Bar

            Martin Beck as Lonely Guy

            Ken Hixon as Guest in Church

            Eb Lottimer as Groom

            Helen Verbit as Woman in Window

            Sarah Abrell as Bride

            Jade D. Bari as Cabbie

            Steven Hurwitz as Man on Roof

            Tom Kubiak as Man on Roof

            Robina Suwol as Girl at Party

            Andy Garcia
            
            Doug Smith as Man on Roof

            Candi Brough as Schneider Twin

            Joanne Dalsass as Model at Party

            Hugh Douglas as Narrator

            Jerry Grayson as Man Who Gets Shot

            Karyn Harrison as Girl in Bank

            Charlie Laiken as Man on Roof

            Lena Pousette as Frieda

            Georges Saurel as Waiter
See full cast