NEIL SIMON OVERRATED?


I couldn't believe how stagey the dialogue sounded in this movie. Granted, it's adapted from a play but real people just don't talk like they did in this movie. The characters, for me, never stopped being characters to become flesh and bone people. I also thought the James Coco and Joan Hackett characters were far too cliche. The gay best friend whose always dispensing practical advise? The forty-year old beauty lamenting her lost good looks? Seen them in dozens of other films. Haven't seen a lot of Neil Simon's work. I just hope the vast majority of his writing is better than this. Otherwise, I can't see how he ever got the reputation he has for being such a great playwright.

We'll see whose the filthiest person alive! We'll just see!

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I agree with everything you wrote, Connie - although I think Coco and Hackett did wonderful considering the lines they had to work with. I would check out Chapter Two and The Goodbye Girl. They are both excellent examples of what Simon can do. This is not.

http://3linesabout.blogspot.com/2010/02/only-when-i-laugh-1981.html

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Thanks for the recommendations! I'll check them out!

We'll see whose the filthiest person alive! We'll just see!

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I love this movie, but honestly, at times, the dialogue was cringeworthy...when they got down and dirty and talked like regular people, wow, very powerful. This is typical Neil Simon, howveer, kooky dialogue, one liners...Saw this the other night, still powerful, and the acting was powerful all the way around.

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I think his movies/plays are superb.

Dammit Carol Sue, where is the vodka?!

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NOOOOPE!!

/thread

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If anything, in 2016 Neil Simon is underrated. He's due for a comeback.

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