Girlfriends (1978) User Reviews

Charming Period Piece.

[Shilpot7 · 8/10 · 12 June 2010]

The central figure, played by Melanie Mayron, is a photographer sharing a large funky apartment on the Upper West Side of New York with her best girlfriend. The girlfriend suddenly decides to get married to someone she's only recently met & this seems to throw our main character into a period of soul searching. Who is she without her best friend? Can she handle the loneliness? The jealousy?

This film reminds me a lot of the Eric Rohmer films of the 70's & 80's...stylewise, it's very stark. Nothing much happens. But it's the ordinariness of the characters that seems to draw us in. In some ways, this film is too stark...so plain are the cast, so grey is the scenery & sometimes, so mundane the dialogue. But 'Girlfriends' has a warmth & a charm that has always made me remember it. To add to this, the film now has the look and feel of another era, the late 70s, which is now interesting to look at in retrospect.

Fans of 'Thirtysomething', who enjoyed Melanie Mayron's character, Melissa, will especially like this film. There are a number of parallels between the two characters. She alone with her warm smile, crooked teeth and mass of wild hair, brings enormous humanity to the proceedings.

A Down To Earth Low Budget Gem

[TheAnimalMother · 8/10 · 21 August 2021]

If you like very down to earth films, this one is an absolute must see! Honestly, I have to say that I like this film even a touch more than The Deer Hunter, which in its own right is a great picture, (Both films were released in 1978.). This is low budget arthouse filmmaking at its very best. I'm really not sure why more people haven't seen this film by now, and why it isn't more widely regarded as the great film it truly is. Only a little over 2000 votes on this site and this review, only the 20th ever written on it here. Mindboggling really! Even Stanley Kubrick called this film, "Wonderful.". I for one, couldn't agree more. 8.5/10.

New York indie

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 11 November 2018]

Susan Weinblatt (Melanie Mayron) is a struggling photographer hoping to stop doing weddings and such. She lives with aspiring writer best friend Anne Munroe in New York City. They are moving into a new apartment when Anne tells Susan that she's marrying Martin (Bob Balaban). Susan struggles professionally and personally. She's lonely with less of her best friend. She takes in hitchhiker Ceil and has an aborted fling with Rabbi Gold (Eli Wallach).

It's a New York indie about the single modern girl. It's not a sitcom where the cute blonde just can't find Prince Charming. It's more truthful and yearning than that. Her need to find her place in the modern world is palpable. Mayron has a great sense of a New York girl. The visual work is a bit flat which is excusable for an indie. Eric is a bit of a frustrating nothing. I'd rather have more awkward drama with Rabbi Gold or Ceil. The plot unfolds rather than builds drama.

Pathbreaking, affecting film about a young woman coming into her own as a person and artist

[cinemaista · 4 June 2002]

In "Girlfriends," first-time writer-director Claudia Weill created a compelling depiction of a woman look at a woman growing, awkwardly and not without pain, into her adult life--that is, the life of an independent woman and artist in New York City. This film also offers what is inarguably one of cinema's most honest and insightful looks at the complex bonds between women, detailing with extraordinary sensitivity (and bits of quirky humor) the shifts, both small and seismic, that occur when one of the halves of a sustaining heterosexual female friendship effectively "leaves" to get married. The cinema verite quality one finds here may be in part a reflection of the tight budget and inexperience of a novice filmmaker, but it also gives the film an utterly compelling texture, something of the raw, uneven fabric of real life. Melanie Mayron (later "Melissa" on the ABC-TV series "ThirtySomething") gives an earnest, convincing, and touching portrayal of budding photographer Susan Weinblatt, a twenty-something woman learning to find her balance, to be true to herself, navigate a welter of complicated relationships, to deal with both loneliness and intimacy, and to come into her own as an artist. The film includes wonderful turns by Eli Wallach, playing the rabbi who oversees the bar mitzvahs Susan photo, and Viveca Lindfors as a New York gallery owner.

Rabbi Eli Wallach

[frankwiener · 7/10 · 18 January 2020]

Although several reviewers state that that this film is very difficult to find or view, it is included in Turner Classic Movie's extensive library, so it should turn up there from time to time. I highly recommend "tcm on demand" which allows viewers a specific time frame in which to see films, and, thankfully, tcm has expanded these time periods for many, but not all, of the films.

Having personally experienced the New York City singles scene for a very brief period of my life during the 1980's, not a very happy time for me, I admit that I was not inclined to watch this film based on the description alone, but I was pleasantly surprised by the complexity of the characters, their relationships, and the quality of the acting. The only reason why I was drawn to it was to see Eli Wallach in the unexpected portrayal as a rabbi, not knowing that this was not his only appearance in a movie as a rabbi. I have only known him as sleazy, unsavory characters, roles which he mastered beautifully on many occasions. As it turns out, Rabbi Gold does not guide the spiritual fulfillment of the central character, Susan Weinblatt (Melanie Mayron), as much as providing her with a livelihood as a photographer of life events and, eventually, the promise of a risky, romantic relationship, at least for a moment. This is not at all the rabbi that I expected, and I would have liked more Wallach as his role was not very prominent in spite of his high billing.

Both Mayron and Anita Skinner produce fine performances. I couldn't, however, appreciate the male characters, who were very disagreeable to me, perhaps not by accident. Mayron's memorable film debut occurred four years earlier as the young, free-spirited hitch-hiker in "Harry and Tonto", a very different person than Susan Weinblatt, which attests to her excellent acting skills.

Unjustly forgotten

[preppy-3 · 9/10 · 16 February 2006]

Well-done and engrossing drama of a woman (played by Melanie Mayron) who's living with her best friend. Her best friend decides to get married and move out. It devastates Mayron and she goes on a journey of self-discovery...and trying to find a new roommate.

This was a big hit in 1978. It played the art house circuit for quite a while. I saw it when I was 16. Being a guy, I wasn't sure I would like it but I was fascinated. The characters were complex, the story absorbing and showed me what NYC was like (back in 1978). After it died down it disappeared completely. There was a showing on cable back in the early 1980s but that was it. I've asked a few friends who are film fanatics (like me) if they knew about this and none of them had even heard of it! That's too bad. This is a wonderful film for anybody--you don't have to be a woman to understand the loneliness and shock Mayron feels when her best friend leaves. Also it has some casual nudity which was surprising for a PG film. It also has Christopher Guest in an early role (and doing a nude scene--not much is shown).

An excellent film. It is available on DVD. The DVD transfer may look grainy but the film always looked like that, It was VERY low-budget.

1970s... single girl in NYC

[ksf-2 · 7/10 · 8 October 2015]

When Susan's housemate gets married and moves out, Susan (Anita Mayron) realizes she's on her own now. At a party, she meets up with "Eric", played by Christopher Guest, in an early role. She's a photographer, taking bar mitzvah pictures to pay the bills. Bob Balaban is in here also, as the husband of the housemate, Anne ( Anita Skinner) . Pretty slow moving. Was expecting a bit more humor or something to jazz it up, but it DOES have a touch of the 70s hippie flare to it. LOTS of talking. Susan talks about everything before and after she does it. Sort of a month in the life of... story. Comparison of single-life versus married life. Some artsy fartsy art gallery commentary. And I love the NYC street scenes. It's very Woody-Allen-Ish. Directed by Claudia Weill, who directed a whole lot of TV stuff. This one was featured as part of the "Women in Film" week on Turner Classics. Some nudity.

Underseen masterpiece

[Camoo · 10/10 · 9 January 2015]

I came across Girlfriends after reading a list of Stanley Kubrick's favorite films, and he rightly called it 'wonderful'. Shot in New York in the late 70's, when master filmmakers such as Cassavetes, Scorsese and Woody Allen ruled the cities screens Weill's film went largely ignored and her brilliant lead actress never went on to make another film except for a small role in a B sci-fi thriller.

There is an obvious kinship between Weill's style and that of Woody Allen - the nervous Jewish humor, the wit and sharp dialog, but Girlfriends omits the irony and stands on its own as a singular, intelligent story of friendship and troubled relationships told from a uniquely female perspective.

Sadly it is very hard to see this film today, No streaming service carries it, and Kim's New York just shut its doors for good. I bought a poor transfer on DVD. I hope Criterion gets around to it one day, because it is truly a wonderful film.

Shared lives torn apart

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 26 October 2017]

Girlfriends, a bittersweet tale of two female roommates split apart when one gets married. The other, our protagonist in this film is all at sea. The two women out of necessity and believe me this is true in New York City came together to share rent. But living together as you do and hitting it off you get to share lives.

Melanie Mayron and Anita Skinner are the roommates. Out of the blue one fine day Skinner announces she's marrying Bob Balaban. At that point Mayron is just lost. Mind you there's nothing sexual going on with them, but Skinner can't adjust to now being alone. Even a relationship with Christopher Guest just ain't the same thing as sisterhood.

Eli Wallach the old family rabbi and a most modern thinker keeps Mayron employed in her profession as a photographer using her as a wedding photographer. Mayron is pursuing this as an art form as well and here she has the encouragement of museum exhibitor Viveca Lindfors. Will success in her profession fill a lot of the emptiness?

Girlfriends is a nice character study from the women's point of view. Not much of a plot but seem character portrayals.

i loved this movie when it came out

[d7eb2000 · 10/10 · 10 April 2005]

This movie set in 1978, is a wonderful analysis of women's relationships with their friends and how relationships with men can change their relationships with each other. It is subtle and nuanced and emblematic of the independent films of the 1970's.

Claudia Weill was a women who tried to get into that very exclusive circle of directors which are very male. When this movie was made it was considered to be the first of many such independent films by women to try to climb that fortress.

The acting of Amy Wright and Melanie Mayron at the time felt like it wasn't acting at all. Since they were both unknowns, you felt like you were snooping into someone's personal lives rather than watching two actresses go through a script.

Low key slice of life

[jellopuke · 7/10 · 11 January 2020]

This low budget and low key/low stakes movie follows a photographer in her life with friendships, relationships, stresses, etc. It's a talk heavy movie about real life and works quite well if you're prepared. A nice change of pace even though its very episodic.

Excellent movie

[sdjnyc · 10/10 · 6 July 2008]

I am so happy that I set my VCR to record this movie back in '96 (or'97) because it hasn't aired on TV since then...at least not here in NY it hasn't. This movie basically follows the friendship of two women in their 20's, living in New York during the late 70's (not the 80's). When one of the women decides to marry a man she barely knows, the other feels abandon and goes on a journey of self-discovery. "Girlfriends" is both funny and depressing, but depressing in a good way (if that makes any sense). I won't go into any further details about this movie. I will say this, though, if you're lucky enough to get your hands on a copy of this movie, watch it and you'll find yourself watching it again and again. I've lost count on how many times I've watched it. Yes, the movie is that enjoyable. I like it.

Somewhat dated portrayal of a woman in the 80's

[cinders63 · 6/10 · 6 November 2000]

Melanie Mayron portrays Susan Weinblatt, a struggling photographer trying to come to terms with the loss, through marriage, of her best friend and the complexities of dating in the 80's. Mayron gives a very believable performance which lightens an otherwise dreary plot.

Lacking A Cohesive Narrative

[atlasmb · 5/10 · 22 January 2023]

Susan Weinblatt (Melanie Mayron) is a New York photographer whose life falters when her girlfriend moves out of their apartment. In fact, Susan is unsuccessful on all fronts, economically and socially, as she struggles to gain a focus for her life, which is as unruly as her hair. From her perspective, she gives and gives, getting little in return for her efforts.

This is a disjointed narrative that seems to drop in on Susan's life every half day or so for a snapshot. Mayron is energetic, but fails to convey as consistent perspective, mostly due to the script. The casting is interesting though, offering such names as Eli Wallach, Christopher Guest, Bob Balaban, and Viveca Lindfors.

It feels like the final story is over-edited, having removed scenes that connected the scenes that remain.

Nice if ambiguous

[andydavis-87880 · 6/10 · 15 March 2022]

Girlfriend housemates in a very close, but non lesbian relationship struggle to cope with the changes in their relationship caused when one of them suddenly decides to marry.

a lost gem

[priddy · 8/10 · 9 February 2013]

i saw this at the theater when it came out, haven't thought about it since and i think very few others have either. it's not even in my 1994 Leonard Maltin guide. but it remained with me regardless, to the point that a chance encounter with the title just now provoked me to come here to say that all these good reviews are well deserved. i'm almost afraid to find and watch it again... no, i'm confident i'll like it just as much, even thirty-five years later. hmm, too bad i have to write ten lines; i thought i had said it all. what to add? that sometimes, as with this review, less is better, and film might be better with less than Woody Allen would have done with more. oh, and that Kubrick called it the best film of 1978.

6.7/10. Not a "Must watch", still recommended

[athanasiosze · 7/10 · 23 March 2024]

Imagine a Woody Allen movie from the female perspective, without Allen's charm and wit. Imagine also a comedy/drama movie without the comedy element, or something like that. I can't find a better description for this. To be more specific and accurate, this is still a good movie, it's clever, real and honest. Problem is, it's "too real". At times, it looked like a documentary. And there is zero charisma in these actors. Still, one can say that they are real people and prefers it that way. This is a slice of life and anyone who likes 70's, is gonna enjoy it. Human relationships in a 1978 New York. Not something fancy or memorable, not a big love ending on a big tragedy. Just normal people and their struggles. It was ok.

Everything Frances Ha (2012) wants to be!

[lewiswainwright-20487 · 10/10 · 15 July 2021]

Decent film just chilling n tha mainly though so wouldn't watch it if ye tired. Was good though very rewatchable very diffrent to alot of the films of the 70's feels like a 2010s rom com but better more depth not your tipical protagonist ye on it.

Two girls who are friends, two paths

[cwolf10 · 7/10 · 17 April 2020]

They start out as two bestfriends then go into two different paths. One girl's a photographer. One girl's a wife and a mother.

Those mothers of us...

[astridrondero · 10/10 · 2 June 2019]

An important piece that is not so important because the director is a woman. It cannot be any other way specially this being from the 1970s, it even makes it more true to itself. This is a film that feels so contemporary that it hurts. A lovely story of coming to terms with being a woman. Those mothers of us knew way before us about feminism. A must watch for women filmmakers.

Underrated masterpiece... Highly recommend!!!

[moviesknight · 9/10 · 3 July 2022]

One of the best films I have seen in a while. The visuals just take your attention right from the beginning. The story is real and sometimes feels too close to home. Deliactely handled and beautifully directed. Acting is all natural. The friendships and the adulthood. Not being enough in both personal and professional life. The growth of the character. Feeling independent and everything in between. Camera work is done so efficiently, it almost teaches you where to put a camera while shooting a scene.

Get a life!!!!!

[Ed-Shullivan · 1/10 · 23 April 2020]

Unbelievably boring! How TCM found this film to be a worthy entry on their film classic(s) station is beyond me. The two main actresses Melanie Mayron and Anita Skinner went on to become forgotten names in the film industry and the writer/director Claudia Weill never wrote another film score again. Not surprised.

If anyone found this picture of interest than they must have lived in the woods all alone, because any two women who were considered friends and experienced these two womens' boring lives, and then had any thought of making it into film must have a lot of family connections in the film industry and more money than they know what to do with it to produce this absolute garbage,

Again, my assumption is that there must have been some personal connections with mega bucks influence on the sitting board that got this crappy film preserved in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

Give me a break. What an insult. I can think of tens of thousands of superior films both for quality and content that should be preserved on the shelves of the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress rather than this forgettable vanity project for the (never) has been film star Melanie Mayron.

There should be a big BORING WARNING sign attached to this piece of nonsense.

I give it a 1 out of 10 IMDB rating and my own BORING WARNING sign.

Most likeable film

[christopher-underwood · 8/10 · 29 March 2021]

Most likeable film that for some reason had never come to my attention before. Nothing particularly exciting or eventful happens and yet the various comings and goings of these New York youngsters resonates. There is nothing strikingly beautiful or exceptional but we believe in all the characters (maybe less so the two gallery owners in the neck braces!) and feel for them as some interactions go less well than others. Certainly seems to capture a most authentic feel and this is partly because the clothing worn has not been selected from racy boutiques but actors' own wardrobes and the script is firmly based in the everyday. A light humour arises from the odd exchange and overall this is a most enjoyable 90 minutes.

The art of ...

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 24 April 2021]

If you get someone to make a movie about things they know and are familiar with ... well let's just say you are onto a good beginning. In this case we have the struggle of female artists. The struggle is real as they say .. for any artist. But females had it (and still in a lot of ways) worse.

Certain situations will be familiar to those who have some of the same issues. Who have tried to look and move forward. But always get something put in their way. Put struggles with human interactions or "friends" and relationships in general ... and you have a winner/loser here. Well told even if for some it may feel a bit slow ...