When it comes to love, never say never. Better yet, never say good-bye...
Paula McFadden (Marsha Mason) is an over the hill dancer sharing an apartment with her daughter, Lucy (Quinn Cummings), and her boyfriend, a married director. She and Lucy are all set to follow her boyfriend to the set of his next movie when they come home one afternoon to find that he is gone, and the only thing he has left is a good-bye note. As unpleasant a surprise as this is, it's not the first time it's happened to Paula. So now she has to find a job to support herself and her daughter. Just when it looks like things couldn't get worse, Elliott Garfield (Richard Dreyfuss) arrives, claiming that he is supposed to sublet the apartment while in town to do Richard III. This is not what Paula wants to hear, and the two of them get off on the wrong foot, but as Elliott has no other place to go, Paula agrees to let him stay in the apartment. As time goes by, Paula's troubles finding work continue, and Elliott discovers that his director wishes to portray Richard as "the queen who would be king." Mutual sympathy and respect develop, which eventually turns to love. Will they find happiness together, or will a film opportunity for Elliot cause a repeat of the pattern that Paula knows all too well?
The script is absolutely charming, as is typical of Neil Simon. The original battles between Paula and Elliott sparkle with wit, and their love scenes brim with tenderness brought on by their hard won affection for each other. Paula's growth is so subtly depicted that you don't realize it until she points it out. Elliott's reliability is built solidly throughout the picture. Their ultimate devotion to each other is immensely satisfying.
The acting is also first rate. Mason delivers her usual stunning performance, going from hurt paranoia to believing love in a lovely arc. Dreyfuss is equally good in revealing that under the bravado lies a basically good man who only wants to do the right thing for his woman. Quinn Cummings offers a scene stealing performance as a child wise beyond her years, who nevertheless has a child's vulnerability.
One of the ultimate feel good movies, it will have you cheering for love at the end.
Paula McFadden (Marsha Mason) is an over the hill dancer sharing an apartment with her daughter, Lucy (Quinn Cummings), and her boyfriend, a married director. She and Lucy are all set to follow her boyfriend to the set of his next movie when they come home one afternoon to find that he is gone, and the only thing he has left is a good-bye note. As unpleasant a surprise as this is, it's not the first time it's happened to Paula. So now she has to find a job to support herself and her daughter. Just when it looks like things couldn't get worse, Elliott Garfield (Richard Dreyfuss) arrives, claiming that he is supposed to sublet the apartment while in town to do Richard III. This is not what Paula wants to hear, and the two of them get off on the wrong foot, but as Elliott has no other place to go, Paula agrees to let him stay in the apartment. As time goes by, Paula's troubles finding work continue, and Elliott discovers that his director wishes to portray Richard as "the queen who would be king." Mutual sympathy and respect develop, which eventually turns to love. Will they find happiness together, or will a film opportunity for Elliot cause a repeat of the pattern that Paula knows all too well?
The script is absolutely charming, as is typical of Neil Simon. The original battles between Paula and Elliott sparkle with wit, and their love scenes brim with tenderness brought on by their hard won affection for each other. Paula's growth is so subtly depicted that you don't realize it until she points it out. Elliott's reliability is built solidly throughout the picture. Their ultimate devotion to each other is immensely satisfying.
The acting is also first rate. Mason delivers her usual stunning performance, going from hurt paranoia to believing love in a lovely arc. Dreyfuss is equally good in revealing that under the bravado lies a basically good man who only wants to do the right thing for his woman. Quinn Cummings offers a scene stealing performance as a child wise beyond her years, who nevertheless has a child's vulnerability.
One of the ultimate feel good movies, it will have you cheering for love at the end.