The Heartbreak Kid **** (1972, Charles Grodin, Cybill Shepherd, Jeannie Berlin. Eddie Albert) – Classic Movie Review 7220

Director Elaine May’s 1972 The Heartbreak Kid stars Charles Grodin as a New York Jewish kid named Lenny who is honeymooning in Miami with his new bride Lila (Jeannie Berlin) when he gets stung by beautiful, tall, blonde WASP Kelly (Cybill Shepherd). After just three days of the honeymoon, Lenny meets Kelly, decides he has made a bad mistake and he wants her instead of boring Lila.

This smashing, little-known Neil Simon scripted comedy is based on a short story called A Change of Plan by Bruce Jay Friedman.

The very droll Grodin is hilarious in one of his best ever performances, Shepherd is entrancing, Berlin is amusing in an unforgiving role and Eddie Albert is chillingly menacing as rich father, who tries to see Lenny off.

The Heartbreak Kid is directed with cutting edge by May, whose career nose-dived with Ishtar. Berlin is the director’s daughter.

It includes some frank sex talk.

Also in the cast are Audra Lindley, William Prince, Mitchell Jason, Augusta Dabney, Art Metrano, Jack Hausman, Doris Roberts, Marilyn Putnam, Erik Lee Preminger, Tim Browne, Jean Scoppa and Greg Peque.

The Heartbreak Kid was nominated for two Oscars – Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Eddie Albert) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Jeannie Berlin) – and three Golden Globes – Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Grodin), Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture (Berlin) and Best Screenplay – Motion Picture (Simon). But alas there were no wins.

It follows May’s A New Leaf and precedes her Mikey and Nicky. But sadly she only got to make four movies, after the fourth, Ishtar, crashed, losing a fortune.

It is remade as The Heartbreak Kid in 2007 with Ben Stiller.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7220

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