Modern Romance (1981)

Modern Romance
Directed by Albert Brooks
Written by Albert Brooks and Monica McGowan Johnson
1981/US
IMDb page
First viewing/YouTube rental

 

Robert Cole: I do love you. I mean, love has nothing to do with this. Yes, I love you. I mean, that makes it very confusing, but I just don’t think… I mean… you’ve heard of a no-win situation, haven’t you?
Mary Harvard: No.
Robert Cole: No? Really, no? You’ve never heard of one? Vietnam? This? I’m telling you they’re around. I think we’re in one of them.

Love in the 80’s was as complicated as it is in the new millennium,  Maybe more so.

Robert Cole (Albert Brooks) is a film editor and is working on what looks like a Grade Z sci-fi flick.  As the movie begins, he breaks up yet again with the long-suffering Mary Harvard (Kathryn Harold).  She is a level-headed bank officer.  He is a neurotic, jealous, mess.  But the sex is good and they can’t stay apart.  With Bruno Kirby as Robert’s assistant editor and friend and George Kennedy as himself.

The Brooks character would be no woman’s idea of a catch, though he can throw on the charm when necessary.  Usually to get forgiveness for some unforgivable offense.  But he makes us like him anyway and laugh at him and his cluelessness.  Brooks also gets in some funny insights into the movie business.  If you like Brooks, you won’t want to miss this one.  If you aren’t already familiar with him, I would suggest starting with Lost in America (1985).

Missing theme song