Kiss Me Goodbye (1982)

Not until three years after the death of her husband Jolly, Kay dares to move back into their former home, persuaded by her new fiancé Rupert. But soon her worst expectations come true, ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Mulligan

Writers:

Bruno Barreto (suggested by material from), Jorge Amado (suggested by material from)

Stars:

Sally Field, James Caan, Jeff Bridges

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sally Field	...	Kay
James Caan	...	Jolly
Jeff Bridges	...	Rupert
Paul Dooley	...	Kendall
Claire Trevor	...	Charlotte
Mildred Natwick	...	Mrs. Reilly
Dorothy Fielding	...	Emily
William Prince	...	Rev. Hollis
Maryedith Burrell	...	Mrs. Newman
Alan Haufrect	...	Mr. Newman
Stephen Elliott	...	Edgar
Michael Ensign	...	Billy
Edith Fields	...	Waitress
Lee Weaver	...	Mr. King
Gene Castle	...	Party Guest

Storyline

Not until three years after the death of her husband Jolly, Kay dares to move back into their former home, persuaded by her new fiancé Rupert. But soon her worst expectations come true, when not only her old memories haunt her, but also Jolly's ghost, who doesn't approve of her new mate. Invisible to anyone but Kay, he tries to prevent the wedding.

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Plot Keywords:

ghost | remake of brazilian film | film blanc | foreign language adaptation | husband wife relationship | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mi adorable fantasma

Company Credits

Production Co:

Boardwalk Productions, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Reportedly, James Caan hated working on this movie so much that he did not make another film for five years until Gardens of Stone (1987). "The New York Times" thought that, in this picture, he seemed to be imitating Gene Kelly.

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Goofs

In the dinner scene with Kay, Charlotte, Rupert and Rev. Hollis, Charlotte begins the dinner conversation by saying that Jolly turned her into a vegetarian. She quoted Jolly as saying that he would "never eat anything that had a face." Later, when Kay, Rupert and Jolly go to a diner for lunch, Jolly orders a cheeseburger.

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Quotes

Rupert Baines: Lovely hat. Batteries included?

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Connections

Remake of Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands (1976)

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Soundtracks

But It's A Nice Dream
(Theme song)
Sung by Dusty Springfield
Words and Music by Peter Allen

User Reviews

Very enjoyable

A light movie that is a lot of fun to watch, 'Kiss Me Goodbye' is also not the first movie you think of when doing a filmography for Sally Field, Jeff Bridges or James Caan. But they are all perfectly cast in this comedy that has a lot going for it.

James Caan plays Jolly, the Bob Fosse-like (well, without the cigarettes and open heart surgery) and deceased husband of Sally Field, who reappears the week Field is marrying a 'nerd', Jeff Bridges. Only Sally can see or hear James Caan so it sets up a lot of comedy, most of which is hilarious. Everyone liked Jolly, alot, including Sally, and Jeff is less likable. He's like Cary Grant in 'Bringing Up Baby', down to the research job at the museum doing what Claire Trevor calls 'digging up dead people.'

Stand-out scene - the three of them going to the country for a relaxing weekend, and all hell breaking loose.

Claire Trevor is funny as Sally's domineering mother, Paul Dooley is his usual dependable self as a former priest who gets involved when Bridges decides to 'exorcise' the ghost of Jolly, and Mildred Natwick is the owner of the country bed-and-breakfast.

Touching at the end, funny most of the way through...8/10.