World Famous Comics: Cy Howard Lovers and Other Strangers
Cy Howard Lovers and Other Strangers
Starring: Beatrice Arthur, Bonnie Bedelia, Michael Brandon, Richard S. Castellano, Bob Dishy Directed By: Cy Howard Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC Label: MGM (Video & DVD) Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: July 06, 2004 Running Time: 104 minutes Theatrical Release Date: August 12, 1970
Description: First comes love, then comes marriage'then come loads of laughs in this highly amusing (Time) comedy about a romantic coming-together that's about to fall apart! With a delightful (Los Angeles Times) cast, including Diane Keaton in her film debut, Lovers and Other Strangersis hilarious [with] funny, sad, touching and moving moments (The Hollywood Reporter)! As Mike and Susan prepare to walk down the aisle, the groom gets a case of cold feet. But turning to friends and family for support could send the couple running for matrimonial cover! Susan's father is fooling around with her mother's best friend; Mike's brother is divorcing his high-school sweetheart, and his parents are living a loveless lie. The rocky road to happily-ever-after has never been so uproarious as in this vividly real, genuinely funny movie (Leonard Maltin).
Normal I found this movie while visiting back home, laying on the couch in a room with my mother and sister. All opposed the viewing, btu sat anyway and actually got really into it! It's just an old 70s movie, but it's one of those movies thats just easy to watch and reminds you just how normal you are. Good for those who do and don't believe in love. (its a "relationship" movie)
The Foreshadowing Of Great Talent I have enjoyed the writings and performances of Joseph Bologna and Renee Taylor who wrote this piece early in their careers and it does have some funny moments. But not enough to recommend. To me the duo reached their comedic height in writing and performing a movie called "Made For Each Other" (not to be confused with a Jim Stewart movie of the same title). Unfortunately that Bologna/Taylor movie has never been released on tape or disk. I made a copy while watching it on TV. I think these two people are very talented and funny, especially Renee. I'm a fan of Bologna mostly because he had the good sense to marry Renee and stay married.
Lovers and Other Strangers Cy Howard's knowing, often side-splitting ensemble piece benefits from stand-out turns by Gig Young (as the bride's philandering father), Anne Jackson (as the object of his adulterous affections), and Richard Castellano as the groom's awkward but well-meaning Dad. Bob Dishy almost steals the movie as a would-be Casanova. Wonderful early `70s flavor, and look for a young Diane Keaton as the groom's unhappy sister-in-law.
I love this movie! Dated, yes, campy yes, made for TV cheap, yes,..but I love this movie. It just flat out works. The whole is much greater than the sum of it's parts. The "eat more veal Frank" table scene and the "what's the story Richy?" scenes in the house make me split my sides with laughter every time I see it. I've watched this movie a dozen times or more and it just gets better. Very funny, yet still engaging on more than just a comedy level, it does tug a bit at your heart at times and if you're getting a bit old it'll bring back some memories too.
The Ultimate Wedding Film Big weddings, small weddings, eloping, runaway brides, etc. What viewers get with LOVERS AND OTHER STRANGERS is a laugh riot of multiple situations occurring simultaneously set in the early '70s. Characters drawn broadly, in the context of an Italian-WASP wedding that speaks to every ethnic group in any time period. Watch and you see the nuanced performance of the late, great Richard Castellano (who most people recognize as the "Caporegime" Clemenza from the GODFATHER)as the blustery, tender-hearted father of the groom with the hilarious Bea Arthur as his doting wife. Gig Young, Cloris Leachman as the stuffy, clueless parents of the bride, a very young and sexy Bonnie Bedelia. Look carefully and you will see a very young Diane Keaton in one of her very first roles. The story centers around an era when men and women co-habiting out of wedlock was still frowned upon, yet the young couple, obviously in love, become the participants in a very traditional wedding. Today, we think of THE WEDDING CRASHERS, but this is in the era of THE GRADUATE, THE GODFATHER, etc. with no twist, just a lot of laughs. One cannot help but hum along and shed a tear at the playing of the song, LOVE LOOK AT THE TWO OF US, that subsequently became a big hit for the CARPENTERS. A timeless classic that seems to be forgotten but will never seem dated or unfunny. "So Richie, what's the story...?"
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