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The Goodbye Girl
1977 111 min United States of America PG 12+
★7.7
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Director: Herbert Ross
Trailers
Description
After being dumped by her live-in boyfriend, an unemployed dancer and her 10-year-old daughter are reluctantly forced to live with a struggling off-Broadway actor.
US Gross:
$102M
Worldwide:
$102M
Starring
Richard Dreyfuss
Actor
Marsha Mason
Actor
Quinn Cummings
Actor
Awards
BAFTA 1979
— Best Actor
Academy Awards 1978
— Best Actor
Golden Globe 1978
— Best Screenplay
BAFTA 1979
— Best Actor
Academy Awards 1978
— Best Actor
Golden Globe 1978
— Best Screenplay
Academy Awards 1978
— Best Picture
Academy Awards 1978
— Best Actress
Academy Awards 1978
— Best Supporting Actress
Golden Globe 1978
— Best Picture (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 1978
— Best Actor (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 1978
— Best Actress (Comedy or Musical)
BAFTA 1979
— Best Actress
Key opinion
The Goodbye Girl is widely regarded as a quintessential mid-70s romantic comedy, celebrated for its sharp, dialogue-driven script and charismatic lead performances. While the narrative follows a familiar path, its warmth and authentic portrayal of post-breakup hesitation maintain a strong appeal for audiences.
| Acting | Richard Dreyfuss delivers a standout, Oscar-winning performance that perfectly balances frantic energy with emotional vulnerability. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay excels at creating lively, witty banter that elevates standard situational comedy tropes. | |
| Acting | Marcia Mason provides a compelling and relatable portrayal of a single mother navigating the anxieties of new love. | |
| Adaptation | The film utilizes its Broadway roots to ground the story in strong, character-focused dramaturgy. | |
| Ending | The conclusion leaves viewers divided, with some praising its classic warmth while others find the resolution predictable and clichéd. |