Happy Together (1989)

Serious, wannabe writer Chris starts college/UCLA and shares room with Alex, who turns out to be a cute party girl. He wants to move - at first.

Director:

Mel Damski

Writer:

Craig J. Nevius

Stars:

Patrick Dempsey, Helen Slater, Dan Schneider

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patrick Dempsey	...	Christopher Wooden
Helen Slater	...	Alexandra Page
Dan Schneider	...	Stan
Kevin Hardesty	...	Slash
Marius Weyers	...	Denny Dollenbacher
Barbara Babcock	...	Ruth Carpenter
Gloria Hayes	...	Luisa Dellacova
Brad Pitt	...	Brian
Aaron Harnick	...	Wally
Ron Sterling	...	Trevor
Eric Lumbard	...	Gary
Michael D. Clarke	...	Steve
Wendy Lee Marconi	...	Dory
Yvette Rambo	...	Jill
Shawne Rowe	...	Geri

Storyline

Christopher leaves to pursue a career in writing. Due to a computer mixup he shares a dorm room with Alex whom he presumes is a man. However, Alex is the beautiful Alexandra! When upon first meeting her she gets on his nerves by partying and being with different men while at school! She is very outgoing. Christopher tries to get another roommate but while trying to get switched, she helps him in different ways by improving his love life and writing ability. The both of them fall in love with each other, but Alex has a boyfriend Slash who comes back for her. After putting her name on the wall of a men's bathroom, she realizes she is better of with Chris.

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Plot Keywords:

writer | fire truck | bikini | broken arm | cheating on test | 

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Taglines:

How do I love thee, Let me count the ways...

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for one use of strong language and some scenes of sensuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is based on the musical "Cabaret."

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Goofs

Alexandra's shoulder sleeves when she's wearing the pink shirt.

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Quotes

Christopher Wooden: You could be loved by me!
Alexandra Page: I could be loved by you.
Christopher Wooden: You COULD be loved by me!
Alexandra Page: I could be HURT by you!

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Connections

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

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Soundtracks

Put On a Happy Face
Written by Lee Adams and Charles Strouse

User Reviews

'Breakfast at Tiffany's' Deja Vu

I shudder to think I rented this movie years and years ago when it first came out on video a couple years before I had the chance to see the film 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' (one of my all time romantic comedy faves!) for the first time. At that time (in my 20 year-old naivete) I summed up 'Happy Together' as cute and entertaining... not altogether a total waste of my time. Now, years later, having just caught it on late night cable for the second time ever, and AFTER experiencing 'Breakfast at Tiffany's,' I now realize how much of a blatant plot rip-off of that movie THIS movie is!

Helen Slater's 'Alex' is sooooo the reincarnate of Audrey Hepburn's 'Holly Golightly,' but done in such an painfully cute-sy and over-acted way. Patrick Dempsey's 'Chris' is a far less sexy and less witty 'Paul Varjak.' Instead of the New York City setting, it's a college campus in L.A. (but throughout the film, the characters do allude to a desire to live in N.Y.C.). Instead of apartment building neighbors, they're dorm roommates. Alex is also an aspiring actress (like Holly) and Chris is even a writer (like Paul!). You also see Alex going out with all these unsuitable suitors while Chris pines for her just like in 'Tiffany's.' Alex even exclaims a couple times in the film, "You don't know ME!" which so resembles the tone of Holly's stubborn desire of "not wanting to be put in a cage," as Paul points out to her towards the end of the film. The female protagonists of both films are these "free spirits" who are actually terrified of leaving their "fishbowls" of existence.

How important is this realization of similarities between these two films? Not very. But it least makes ME realize yet again (disgustedly) that way too many basic plot lines are recycled in Hollywood. That's all!

So if you're in the mood for pure derivative fluff, 'Happy Together" is for you. Plus, Helen Slater's late 80's wardrobe is sure a hoot to behold...

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 May 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Happy Together

Filming Locations:

Royce Hall - 340 Royce Drive, UCLA, Westwood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$32,776, 6 May 1990

Gross USA:

$70,912

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$75,657

Company Credits

Production Co:

Apollo Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1