Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 07, 2005 | | Summary | A glimpse of what cinema can be. | Content
 | This is raw, risk-taking cinema--from the no-holds-barred performance of a lifetime by Dianne Keaton to the bold and imaginative direction of Richard Brooks. Moreover, it captures the woman's point of view more convincingly than any other film that comes to mind. As spectators we remain inside Keaton's head as well as capable of judging her in her obsessive, doomed quest for personal fulfillment at all costs. The sordid climax (no wonder profit-dependent Hollywood swore off such films) is all the more remarkable because we see it through the eyes of the victim. When Dianne Keaton's desire and death wish converge and she loses the capacity to see, the movie necessarily fades to black as well.
I was so blown away by the film that I immediately read its literary source. This is one of the few times the book has proved a disappointment compared to the movie. As a prose stylist, Judy Rossner doesn't begin to match the artistry of Keaton and Brooks not to mention the psychological depth that is normally off limits to a medium as surface-bound as film. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 30, 2005 | | Summary | WOMEN'S MOVIES ARE BEING WITHHELD - WHY???? | Content
| This is the second older movie I went to order in dvd format this afternoon. IT DOES NOT EXIST and neither does the truly significant _Love With a Proper Stranger_. The latter is the only movie made by Steve McQueen that has not been put onto dvd format. Why? It can't be because it was a dog of a movie because it wasn't: Steve McQueen received an Academy Award as Best Actor for this performance and Natalie Wood was nominated as Best Actress.
The movie's ending fits right into with today's ultra right view of the world so that can't be the problem. What I believe is holding this out of circulation is the fear by some that young people of the several post Roe v. Wade generations might see for themselves the absolute terror women of all races and clases went through when they sought out illegal abortions. The Bronx shown in the movie is where the richest to the poorest in the greater NYC area traveled.
This movie is a wonderful example of a black and white movie treasure and it would seem of critical importance to keep it alive so that people can see for themselves just what went on back in those truly horrendous days. Certainly if one's personal views are ultra conservative I imagine you don't want to know about what was reality way back then. Folks, however, who are trying to impose this on our society once again -- and for those who haven't made up their minds -- this is must seeing.
And no, I am absolutely not a left wing femi-nazi but I saw too many young friends edge very close to death because our male WASP controlled society wouldn't come to terms with abortion.
Mr. Goodbar brings women of the ensuing generation forward and it would seem vital for all young people to see today. Right now our nation is searching for a probably dead Natalee Holloway. Had she seen this and would that others now would do so, safer decisions might have and could be made.
_Looking for Mr. Goodbar_ was a huge box office hit so a lack of popularity can't explain why we can't see it in DVD format. The gist of the movie is as contemporary as hell.
And those of us who are older and who have lived through so much change ought to do what we can to ensure that the polarized views of the politically correct and the ultra right are not permitted to stifle all the inbetweens. It feels that way this afternoon and underscores how vital an outlet Amazon's review process is. |
| Rating | | | Date | May 18, 2005 | | Summary | The Best Film of The 1970s | Content
| Some of these reviewers (the negative ones) are rather simple-minded as to the entire concept of the film. The one reviewer who mentioned the "cheapness" of the film simply did not get it. The "cheapness" was the entire point of the atmosphere as the allure of Terry's life and how she felt about herself. I watched the film three times and I am not grasping why a few of the reviewers mention how "slow" the film was. There was nothing "slow" about it at all. The point of the beginning was included for the audience to get to know and to care about the character. I am sure that the very same "reviewers" who complained about the "slowness" of the film would have just as well complained if the beginning scenes had not explained the character's story. Some of the reviewers are very mature (and that helps others to decide logically as to whether or not to purchase this film) and some are very childish (which really doesn't help at all in the selection process!).
If you want slasher garbage, rent slasher garbage. This film is for the "thinker" not the "loafer". It is amazing that the negative commentaries are from those who have never really become a screenplay writer or a director of any kind. Most viewers have no idea of what it takes to organize and shoot a film of quality.
Grow up America!!! Not ALL films will be to your liking and they cannot be. It's impossible to please everyone with regards to writing or filmmaking. And to the one reviewer who felt that this film was a "downer": Hello! It was meant to be! It wasn't written for the comedic driven audience. That's why it's called a "Drama". It does not suppose to make you "feel good". Rent 'Sabrina' if you want to "feel good". If you are moody and intense, then, this movie is for audience-types who truly appreciate realistic themes with drama based momentum. It's not called "Looking for Disney's Magic Kingdom" for Pete's sake!! It's not the garbage which is portrayed in the typical mainstream stupidity like "13 going on 30" or anything with J.Lo or the typical Lindsey Lohan/Jennifer Aniston variety~ or anything with those damned twins~ (whom which many of us cannot at all relate to anyway thus the reason that not all films are made for everyone~ I personally wish that there were more films directed and written with a deliberate and thought-provoking style as "Goodbar". I personally am tired of un- original, dull, and silly remakes and rip-offs of other films. It's time to bring back older quality actors and quality story telling as this film demonstrates in very fine realistic style.
What happened to the quality in filmmaking? It's time to bring this back and it's time to stop catering to the simpleton plot crowd. We need better story development writers (like 'Veronica Guerin') and talented actors who are willing to risk the criticism. Cautionary tales are great for the mind. This country needs to be challenged to learn to think more than to be cheaply entertained ALL OF THE TIME.
You will not find another Keaton or another Richard Brooks (director). The gritty reality of loneliness and bedraggled low-self-esteem of the character is part of an art form in this film and in its own way life is imitating art and even vice- versa. This movie is for grown-ups and not for grown adolescents who must have the visual action force at every single moment. The build-up from beginning to end is what brings superiority to this film. If you want a "pick me up" try "comedy"(plenty of it) and if you want an action movie try "action-adventure"(too much of it); if you want to grow up, check this film out!!
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| Rating | | | Date | May 09, 2005 | | Summary | sad but good | Content
| my obsession with Diane Keaton has to pretty much come from this movie! I consider this movie a classic from the 70's period. yes, it's very dark I can't remember a film now that is this dark. thats because it's very truthful. I suppose the fact that keatons caracter picks up men from bar's does drugs is a big part of the story. but it's more to me about the paths we choose in life. all these things hit her at once. being a free woman with a career and no oblagations to anyone. when I see this film now I don't really think about some of the bad things that happen. I think more about what makes up a caracter like this and what does she not want? why does something bad have to happen to good people? this movie really speaks to me on many diffrent levels. |
| Rating | | | Date | January 12, 2005 | | Summary | Good Goodbar | Content
| I saw this film when it first came out in 1977 with my partner at the time who chastised me for taking him to something so shocking...or shocking at that time. I saw it twice because I thought it was a very solid story line with intriguing characters. I was actually hoping Diane Keaton win for this film rather than "Annie Hall", which I thought was just ok (although I loved the lobster scene). Yes, the ending is haunting and I still remember it after all the years. It was photographed very cleverly, with the strobe light in particular. I think many of us who were experiencing, or had the pleasure to experience, the sexual revolution at the time could relate to Theresa's antics, and most of us who have brought home a stranger share her fears. I want to be sure to comment on the wonderful soundtrack...Thelma Houston, the OJ's, Donna Summer, all the disco music lent credence to the story line and really added a nice dimension to it all. It is a movie to be seen at least once. |
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