After her brilliant career in a comedy duo with Mike Nichols, Elaine May made tentative progress as a director, making only four films between 1971 and 1987 (her last being the disastrous but underrated Ishtar). Released in 1972, The Heartbreak Kid (from a screenplay by Neil Simon) is widely considered her best work from behind the camera, and it's still one of the most accomplished--but least recognized--comedies of the 1970s. Charles Grodin landed one of his best roles as Lenny, a newlywed husband who meets a gorgeous blonde (Cybill Shepherd) while on his honeymoon, and finds his new bride, Lila (played by May's daughter, Jeannie Berlin), unappealing by comparison. When Lila is forced to rest with a severe case of sunburn, Lenny's free to pursue his new interest, oblivious to the manipulative games that he'll soon be subjected to. May and screenwriter Simon draw plenty of pain, awkwardness, and embarrassment from hilarious situations, giving this comedy a perceptive awareness of human foibles and unchecked desires. It's a newlywed's worst nightmare come true, made enjoyable because we're watching it happen to someone else. Grodin's a prime choice of casting for expressing the movie's lusty anxiety--he's a schmuck, but you can still sympathize with the anguish he's brought on himself. --Jeff Shannon
(20 votes)
2.
Elaine May's second film was also her most successful comedy. Reminiscent of her old partner Mike Nichols's THE GRADUATE, THE HEARTBREAK KID deals with themes of misguided choices, the idea of true love, and how lust colors both--all with the unique comic spin created by May and screenwriter and playwright Neil Simon. Charles Grodin is his fumbling, bumbling best as Lenny. When he meets pretty Lila (Jeannie Berlin, May's real-life daughter) in a bar, their quick courtship leads to marriage. But on their drive south to their Miami honeymoon, Lenny's having second thoughts by the time they reach Virginia. When they get to Florida, Lila's quirks are driving him crazy. Lila is trapped in their room after she gets a fierce sunburn their first day; newly liberated, Lenny meets beautiful coed Kelly (Cybill Shepherd). The glamorous, blonde Kelly is everything Lila isn't--and everything Lenny has decided he wants. When's Lenny's surreptitious meetings with Kelly blossom into more than he planned for, he's forced to choose whether he wants to have his cake, eat it...or maybe try the pecan pie. May's legendary vision, and perfectionism, create a funny, touching, and fast-paced film classic.
(20 votes)
3.
Lenny Cantrow (Charles Grodin) is a young, ambitious salesman who falls for Lila Kolodny (Jeannie Berlin) in a singles bar. After a brief courtship, Lenny pops the question and the two wed.
On their honeymoon, Lenny's new bride develops a severe sunburn and has to spend three days in their room - which is fine with him because he's beginning to find her little idiosyncrasies maddening. In fact, Lenny is starting to feel his marriage may be a mistake. Then, when he hits the beach alone he meets a beautiful college student, Kelly Corcoran (Cybill Shepherd), and falls head over heels. He is sure this is the "real thing." There's just one problem… he's a newlywed!
The Heartbreak Kid features top-notch performances, including Jeannie Berlin's and Eddie Albert's, which earned them Academy Award® nominations.
(20 votes)
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