Modern Romance

There were a scattered few howlingly funny lines, and it's always somewhat entertaining to watch Albert Brooks do his neurotic schtick, but like most of his films (save Lost in America) it never rises very far above average.

Despite being a Brooks fan & a fan of characters who annoy in funny ways (Planes, Trains & Automobiles & Midnight Run are 2 of my faves), this was often a disappointment. 1 of the reasons is the slow pacing, but the bigger reason is that Brooks is often annoying in unfunny & even hurtful ways. Harrold isn't written as a "straight man" to his neuroses, but a realistic woman who should dump him. The first third (Quaaludes & shopping) was also a major hurdle: repetitive, predictable & I had to FF.

Best lude scene in cinema

A funny comedy that is marred by Brooks' abusiveness.

The gold standard of Quaalude comedy prior to THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, and an anti-romcom full of vignettes that showcase Brooks' cynical yet chummy sense of humor.

Albert Brooks is the most lovable asshole I ever saw. He's blowing up his own life and all you can do is root for him to succeed.

It was pretty funny. Like any Brooks comedy, it's based on awkwardness and it gets to be a bit much, especially since Brooks' character goes around in circles the whole film. The two leads also have no chemistry, and while I suppose that may have been the point it still doesn't make it any easier to watch their interactions. Still, it boils down to humour and I enjoyed it.

Arguably Brooks's best effort. Certainly his funniest. "There are men out there who only rape; that's all they do!"

Albert Brooks is a genius. What a great performance he gives, plus the script is fantastic and the direction is good too. I really don't think it's like Annie Hall or any of Woody's other works at all. Brooks is far meaner, far more depressing. There's always a light at the end of Woody's metaphorical tunnels.

I liked the stuff with Jim Brooks

The normally empty Woody Allen-lite argument against Albert Brooks is almost justified here. Something like Annie Hall, but with an insecure and neurotic guy who isn't in love with all his insecurities and neuroses. Not a bad movie at all, but the comparisons to a GREAT movie hang over Modern Romance like a black cloud.

This only works because of Brooks and it actually works quite well for a decent amount. It starts to falter when the couple becomes a couple again and we're treated to well-trodden material of the Jealous Type. Brooks is still funny, but he needed to channel something bigger than the first half of the film to keep it as interesting, and that understandably doesn't happen. His work life also takes an unusual uptick in screentime in the latter half. Still funny, but clearly disjointed.

One of the better of Brooks's whine-comedies

it's just such a relief when he finally saves the picture.

so goddamn painful.

3/14/23 ★★★★ rewatch

watched: 2012, 2018, 2021

Kubrick called up Brooks after he saw this movie and said he always wanted to make a movie about jealousy, meaning Modern Romance gave us the Eyes Wide Shut orgy scene, wow.

Not on the level of Woody Allen in his prime, but it's pretty good.

Um Romance Moderno estreava há 40 anos nos EUA. Aff, fui assistir o filme sem saber que a narrativa focaria no macho chato do caralho, achava que o filme teria perspectiva de casal, mas é só esse cara insuportável sendo abusivo de todas as formas, se eu soubesse disso com antecedência nem teria desperdiçado minha noite de sábado. BlurayRip RARBG.

It has the ring of truth but never got more than a wry smile out of me.

"Nearly as much as Jerry Lewis, Albert Brooks's comic persona is defined by its unlikability." - Fernando F. Croce

Brooks is like Woody Allen if Allen was more unflinching and honest about depicting his own unpleasant neurosis instead of flattering his own weaknesses, which inherently makes this superior to Allen's work. However the film can't manage to completely transcend the constraints of it's mainstream romantic comedy trappings, so it ultimately feels oddly uneven and stilted despite some truly hilarious and painful moments (mostly within the first half).

What is wrong with her?? Why does she put up with him?? Those are the questions that constantly plague the viewer of this often hilarious, equally as often disturbing black comedy by Albert Brooks, who quite daringly directs himself as the insufferable protagonist. His objectionable personality somehow transcends even the text - I couldn't imagine this staying the same film with any other lead (say, give Robert Redford the same lines...). Not far behind "Real Life" in its excellence, this film.

This film may be a bit dated, but it should be used as a template for all modern romance movies. Also, Super Dave Osbourne's brother was great in it.

The audio dubbing scene alone makes this movie worth watching.

This may be the best movie Albert Brooks has directed, but that really isn't saying much. I have now seen four Albert Brooks directed movies, and it's safe to say I am not a fan. This one sucked me in the most, and had me laughing a few times. But I lump the style of Albert Brooks in with Woody Allen and Noah Baumbach, all of whom I consider overrated. I am just not a fan of the neurotic, whiny, intellectual, troubled leading man romance movie.

Brooks is the correct mix of Woody Allen and George Costanza to create a pretty unlikable character that you can't help but laugh at.