By Melissa Antoinette Garza
As a writer, there are certain films that I watch and walk away saying, “I wish I wrote that.” 12 ANGRY MEN (1957), PSYCHO (1960), and HAROLD AND MAUDE (1971) all had that impact on me. When I bought THE GOODBYE GIRL (1977), I really didn’t expect anything to hit me so hard and in all the right places.
I purchased it because I have a celebrity crush on Richard Dreyfuss. You could call it sort of a re-crush because I loved him as a child. I remember my mom being weirded out that I chose Dr. Leo Marvin’s (Richard Dreyfuss) side over Bob’s (Bill Murray) in WHAT ABOUT BOB?
I haven’t seen JAWS (1975) in 25+ years, but I loved both Dreyfuss and Roy Schneider so it was always a treat to watch.
Recently, Mr. Dreyfuss was interviewed by Tucker Carlson. I really like Carlson as a journalist, but it was as if Tucker completely disappeared as Dreyfuss spoke passionately about the absence of Civics courses prior to high-school graduation. My crush resurfaced and I immediately went to his website http://thedreyfussinitiative.org/ and signed the preamble to the constitution.
In a time that seems hopeless to many and when the nation is so divided, we needed to hear Dreyfuss’s words. They were inspiring and insightful. On his website the quote, “To teach our kids how to run our country, before they are called upon to run our country…if we don’t, someone else will run our country,” is displayed and it makes all the sense in the world. It’s common sense! Dreyfuss wasn’t pandering to the conservatives or republicans, he was uniting by reminding us of the significance of our core values and beliefs.
I have always been attracted to men with intelligence and honorable convictions, so there was obviously only one thing to do. Research his filmography and pick something I hadn’t seen. Going in, I knew nothing about this. I didn’t know that this was a wildly popular and well-known classic and that Mr. Dreyfuss won an Academy Award and Golden Globe for his performance (very well-deserved, I may add).
I’m usually on top of the classics, and I don’t know how this missed my radar. For those who don’t know, the film opens with single mother Paula (Marsha Mason) getting dumped by her boyfriend Tony. He not only ran off, but sublet the apartment as his name was the only one on the lease.
Paula, an out of work dancer, is desperate to stay there and when the new tenant, Elliot (Dreyfuss) arrives she refuses to let him in. When she finds out he’s an actor, like Tony, she instantly dislikes him.
Ten-year-old Lucy (Quinn Cummings) comes around much quicker. She even develops a crush on Elliot. Tensions rise as Elliot is forced to do a retched performance in Shakespeare’s RICHARD III. Paula who lets down her guard a bit, comforts him about the performance.
Soon, a romance brews but Elliot is forced to jump through hoops to prove he’s the real deal. Paula is scared to lose him and to admit she’s in love. Even Lucy grows concerned he’s going to take off like the others and when he’s offered a part in a film that will keep him away for 4 weeks, the fear overwhelms Paula. 
This film resonated with me on a level most movies don’t. This is one of the few that I said, “I wish I could write something like this.” It’s so real in its portrayal.
I could literally feel Paula’s fears as when I began dating my husband I felt the same way. He needed to breakthrough a whole bunch of past trauma to find my heart and when he did, I became even more scared. The thought of losing someone you admit to loving is one of the scariest things in the world and thankfully ten years later Steve and I are stronger than ever. He’s my rock and I’m his.
As for the romance, it’s wonderful. It will bring a smile to your face. Elliot’s flirtation is sweet and sexy. Paula’s futile attempt at resisting is hilarious.
I’m sincerely glad I purchased this from VUDU rather than renting it as I’ve watched it 3 times already. It’s also available on Amazon.
It’s one of the best movies of all time and alongside HAROLD AND MAUDE (1971) the best romance of all time.
Scared Stiff Rating 10/10
Here is the interview discussed in the article. I suggest every American, regardless of political party, watch, visit Mr. Dreyfuss’s website and sign the preamble.
