Modern Romance (1981)

Albert Brooks directs himself as a successful film editor with far too many issues that affects the relationship between him and his remarkably patient girlfriend.

Director:

Albert Brooks

Writers:

Albert Brooks, Monica Mcgowan Johnson (as Monica Johnson)

Stars:

Albert Brooks, Kathryn Harrold, Tyann Means

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Albert Brooks	...	Robert Cole
Kathryn Harrold	...	Mary Harvard
Tyann Means	...	Waitress
Bruno Kirby	...	Jay
Jane Hallaren	...	Ellen
Karen Chandler	...	Neighbor
Dennis Kort	...	Health Food Salesman
Bob Einstein	...	Sporting Goods Salesman
Virginia Feingold	...	Bank Receptionist
Thelma Leeds	...	Mother (as Thelma Bernstein)
Candy Castillo	...	Drugstore Manager
James L. Brooks	...	David
George Kennedy	...	George Kennedy / Zeron
Rick Beckner	...	Zeon
Jerry Belson	...	Jerry

Storyline

Robert Cole, a film editor, is constantly breaking up with and reconciling with long-suffering girl friend Mary Harvard, who works at a bank. He is irrationally jealous and self-centered, while Mary has been too willing to let him get away with his disruptive antics. Can they learn to live with each other? Can they learn to live without each other? The movie also provides insight into film editing as Robert and co-worker Jay work on their current project, a cheesy sci-fi movie.

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Plot Keywords:

film within a film | film editor | neurosis | fear of commitment | boyfriend girlfriend relationship | 

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Taglines:

Robert was madly in love with Mary. Mary was madly in love with him. Under the circumstances they did the only thing they could do... they broke up.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Second of five cinema movie collaborations of the two unrelated "Brooks" - Albert Brooks and James L. Brooks. The films are Real Life (1979), Modern Romance (1981), Terms of Endearment (1983), Broadcast News (1987), and I'll Do Anything (1994).

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Goofs

When Albert is high on Quaaludes, he puts on a record album and the disco hit "A Fifth of Beethoven" comes on. But watch the needle on the turntable - you can see the arm retracting and returning from the spindle while the music is playing.

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Quotes

Robert Cole: [on the phone with Jay] Jay, listen -- I didn't tell you this before, and I think I should tell you now. I love you. I mean, in the right way. I think you're an amazing guy, and I -- I think I just love you.
Jay: The ludes kicked in, right?

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Connections

References Nickelodeon (1976)

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Soundtracks

YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL
Written by Dennis Wilson, Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher
Performed by Joe Cocker
Courtesy of A&M Records

User Reviews

A good romantic-comedy with some unique twists on the formula

Pains me to admit it but I could relate to Albert Brooks' character in parts of this. The swinging back and forth between optimism and despair right after a breakup hit kind of hard. Also: a part late in the film where thin and his sort-of girlfriend sort of argue, and Brooks' character is unable to end it in a way that will leave things fully at peace... that was relatable too.

All that said, the most entertaining parts were probably the sequences where Brooks worked as an editor on what looked like a gloriously stupid sci-fi film starring George Kennedy.

Overall: it's not perfect, and I think it does owe maybe a bit too much to the kind of movies Woody Allen was making around this time. But I did like a good deal of the humour, and a romantic-comedy that investigates the final stages of a relationship is refreshing, considering most standard romantic-comedies focus on the early days.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 March 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Modern Romance

Filming Locations:

Idyllwild, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,225, 15 March 1981

Gross USA:

$2,863,642

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,863,642

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1