THE HEARTBREAK KID
US, 1972,104 minutes, Colour.
Charles Grodin, Cybill Shepherd, Jeannie Berlin, Eddie Albert.
Directed by Elaine May.
The Heartbreak Kid was one of Time's choices for the ten best films of 1972. Not a great commercial success, the film can be strongly recommended as a serio-comic look at America in the early 70s.
The film captures its audience's attention and emotional responses. The film is at times truly exasperating as we watch the characters misunderstanding and duping each other. It is also funny because the writer is Neil Simon (Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, Plaza Suite, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, etc.), and the director is comedienne Elaine May (acting in and directing A New Leaf (1971)). They both have an extraordinary way of getting the most out of ordinary situations by way of humour as well as pathos.
Charles Grodin is perfect as the determined but heartless Lenny; Cybill Shepherd (after The Last Picture Show) is cool and W.A.S.P. as Kelly Corcoran. Jeannie Berlin (Elaine May's daughter) is excellent as the ill-fated Lila. She and Eddie Albert both won Oscar nominations for their performances.
There are many things to see in The Heartbreak Kid - comedy, wry, moral and social comment, Jewish style versus Protestant style. The film could be compulsory viewing for those intending marriage.
1. Who was the Heartbreak Kid? How did this add to the significance of the film?
2. Neil Simon observes ordinary behaviour and sees the humour in it. He sees men and women as comic figures. What kind of behaviour did he observe here? How accurately, comically, humorously?
3. How did the director add to the impact of the film - detail of the comedy, character, situation?
4. What kind of comedy was this - black comedy, wry comedy? Was it really funny - why? What lessons were learnt - is this a valid purpose of comedy?
5. Was this a comedy about relationships? What insight into relationships did the film give - particularly American?
6. What did the film say about truth and fantasy? The reality of truth, the destructive nature of fantasy?
7. Lenny - his behaviour during the engagement, decision to marry, love for Lila, the Jewish marriage ceremony? The comedy of the trip, Lila nagging him and his disgust at her characteristics? His falling in love with Kelly, pretending to Lila, his unreal attitude to Kelly, confronting of the situation, his brutality to Lila, his blase confrontation of Kelly's parents? Divorcing Lila, moving to Minnesota, his behaviour there towards Kelly, marrying her, his final status? What had happened to him during the film? Why? How had he changed? What was to become of him? Was he a typical American male? What characteristics of human behaviour and folly did he illustrate?
8. Lila - her personality, her love for Lenny, waiting for marriage, enjoyment of the honeymoon trip, her funny characteristics? Talking of forty - fifty years hence, not enjoying the honeymoon period, enjoying the dinner when she was better? Being told about the divorce? Did your attitudes towards Lila change during the film? Did you like her, annoyed with her, like Lennie? Were you sorry for her when she was told the truth - how cruel was this? Was she a typical American woman? What characteristics of human behaviour and folly were illustrated in her?
9. Kelly - glamorous, all-American girl, a flirt, enjoying a holiday and being flattered, leading Lenny on, Allowing him to propose and speak to her parents? Her behaviour back in Minnesota, her attitude towards her study and friends, leading Lenny on especially regarding sex - why did she marry Lenny? What future did they have? What characteristics of human behaviour and folly did she illustrate? Did you like her?
10. Kelly's parents - typical American parents? Their attitudes towards Kelly? The table confrontation in Miami? Were they the same in Minnesota? Kelly's father listening at the table and then confronting Lenny? Why did he capitulate? Did he agree with the marriage? What characteristics of human behaviour did the father and mother illustrate?
11. How did behaviour in Miami contrast with behaviour in Minnesota? Why? Did the atmosphere of the two places influence this? Why?
12. The irony of the final wedding breakfast? Its contrast with the first one? The behaviour of all concerned? Lenny's patter and talk? Finally talking to children and himself? The significance of this?
13. How well were the characters and situations of this film observed?
14. What lessons were to be learned front this comedy?
