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Storyline
This is a story about the breakup of the family. In particular, it focuses on the lifestyle of three divorced men. The film is presented from their perspective and it reveals their relationship with their children, ex-wives, girl friends, male friendships, and their identities as divorced men. In addition to dealing with divorce, the film touches on spousal loss and young adult homelessness. The film can be considered a social commentary that is both comical and emotional. Written by
Joel Schesser <joelsd@aol.com>
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Taglines:
Donny, Dave and Vic are best friends. They have everything in common ... ex-wives, new girlfriends, and the kids for the weekend.
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Quotes
Linda:
Last week was my son Kevin's birthday, he turned six.
Dr. David Townsend:
Happy Birthday, Kevin.
Linda:
And his father was supposed to come take him to a hockey game. He likes hockey because there's fighting, and people can get hurt. His father, not Kevin. He just loves fighting.
Dr. David Townsend:
Well, than can be healthy. Or... not healthy. Go on.
Linda:
Well we wait, and we wait and we wait and he never shows up. He missed his own son's birthday, he didn't even call.
Dr. David Townsend:
That son of a bitch! Can I say that on the radio? Because that is the only ...
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Connections
References
Peter Gunn (1958)
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Soundtracks
"Bye Bye Love"
Performed by
The Everly Brothers
Written by Felice &
Boudleaux Bryant
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records, Inc.
by arrangement with Warner Special Products
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Dave (Matthew Modine), Vic (Randy Quaid), and Donny (Paul Reiser) are a trio of friends and divorced fathers. Dave has a beautiful new young girlfriend named Kim (Maria Pitillo) but still sports a wandering eye. Vic, whose soul was definitely bruised by his ex-wife, is just agreeing to go on a blind date with Lucille (Janeane Garofalo). As for Donny (Paul Reiser), he is also having severe trouble moving on, holding his former wife in high esteem, even though she has remarried. All of the men have children that they love deeply and who fall into their custody at the appropriate times. Yet, meeting their former mates at such places as McDonald's, in order to exchange their children, still gives everyone a pang of hurt. Will Dave learn to commit himself to one woman? Will Vic let go of his resentments and take a chance on a new love? And will Donny realize his ex is never coming back and give himself permission to love someone else, even if it is Dave's former wife (Amy Brenneman)? As for the kids, will they be able to weather their parents divorce, too? This is a truthful and touching film about divorce in modern America. Yes, it is very common now, making life complicated, especially when children are involved. But, even so, it is not the end of the world, as all of the men, women, and kids discover in this movie. All of the actors are wonderful, with Quaid, especially, giving an extremely humorous and thoughtful performance. Special mention should also go to Garofalo for her drop-dead-funny, neurotic-yet-lovable portrayal of a divorcée. Then, too, the California setting is lovely, the costumes very well chosen, and the production values quite high. Most of all, the script is funny, original, and brutally honest. If you have been down the divorce highway, you should definitely make time for this film. It will help heal wounds with its laughs and sensitivity. But, even if you just want to find a film that will let you "yuck it up", this one is a terrific choice.