A Few Words About A few words about...™ The Goodbye Girl -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

Neil Simon's, The Goodbye Girl, is a sweet New York comedy that won over audiences in 1977. It was nominated for five Academy Awards and gave Richard Dreyfuss Best Actor.

As it's a Ray Stark production, it has "that" practiced feel to it, along with another Stark feature, his long-time editor, at least during her later years, the legendary Margaret Booth, as supervising editor, while the film was cut by John F. Burnett.

I once knocked on Ms Booth's trailer door, to meet her and shake her hand. Just so I'd be able to say I'd done it...

For those unaware, look her up.

Warner Archive's new Blu-ray is gorgeous in every respect.

For a film going on 40 years old, it holds up nicely. And if you don't fall in love with young Quinn Cummings, there's no blood moving through your veins.

Image - 5

Audio - 5

4k Up-rez - 5

Pass / Fail - Pass

Recommended

RAH

 

[Robin9]

I saw this film when it first came out and I have forgotten everything about it. I don't know if that says something about the film or something about me.

 

[ArnoldLayne]

Thanks for the review - it's a great movie IMO, I have it on my DVR saved from TCM. But my Blu-ray is order!

 

[David Norman]

I saw this film when it first came out and I have forgotten everything about it. I don't know if that says something about the film or something about me.

Probably you or maybe your age at the time you watched it. I must say this is one of the great date movies of all time though it's possible I just had the biggest crush on MM at the time that it really didn't matter.

 

[Mark Booth]

Thanks, Robert! Definite purchase for me! I love, love, love this film! And I feel a special kinship toward any film that Margaret Booth edited!

Mark

 

[Robert Harris]

Thanks, Robert! Definite purchase for me! I love, love, love this film! And I feel a special kinship toward any film that Margaret Booth edited!

Mark

Related? Possibly to John W.?

 

[Mark Booth]

Related? Possibly to John W.?

To Margaret Booth, not that I'm aware of. My only comment about John Wilkes is I'm not a direct descendant, let's leave it at that.

Mark

 

[Mark Booth]

'The Goodbye Girl' is no longer listed as available on Amazon but is available on Best Buy. Is this going to be another Best Buy exclusive? Release date is tomorrow.

Mark

 

[KPmusmag]

I had a shipment notification from amazon this morning.

 

[atfree]

Mine shipped from Amazon, arriving Tuesday

 

[Mark Booth]

Thanks, guys. I guess Amazon already ran out of stock.

Mark

 

[KPmusmag]

Maybe this one was popular enough they could have justified a WHV release.

 

[Kyrsten Brad]

Brad here. Confirmed the non-availability on Amazon. Noted the Amazon sales rank at 1593, quite high for a catalog title that's now out of stock.

Oh and if you want Time After Time (1979) I'd jump on it now. Amazon sales rank at 177 so it's selling fast.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

These are not limited editions. That's not Warner Archive's business model. If Amazon sells out of their initial allotments, there will be more made available.

 

[Mark Booth]

I was originally going to wait for a $14.99 (or so) price. I found it on Target.com for $16.99 and minus my RedCard discount it puts it down to $16.14. Close enough, so I pulled the trigger. We'll be showing it in the Booth Bijou Garage Theatre (with 'Finding Dory') next week.

Robert, I really appreciate your advance look at 'The Goodbye Girl'. Even though I don't have the disc yet, I can plan our movie night with confidence know you've given the transfer thumbs up.

Mark

 

[Scott Merryfield]

It shows up on Amazon for me. See this link.

 

[KPmusmag]

I am super happy with this blu-ray, this movie has long been a favorite of mine. The enhanced resolution of the blu-ray really does add to the experience, several facial expressions registered with me that hadn't before. I also thought the audio sounded more detailed than previous releases of this title.

There are two moments in the film that IMO are particularly good acting, done with, to quote Norma Desmond, just one look.

The first is

Spoiler

After Elliott tells off Paula, the camera moves in for a close-up and her eyes slowly fill with tears. (Cap not from blu-ray)

The second is

Spoiler

When Paula and Lucy go backstage after Richard III, you can see the pain and humiliation in Elliott's face, even though he doesn't say a word. I have always been touched by this moment, but the hi-def resolution gave it more power IMO (Cap not from blu-ray)

 

[Mark Booth]

Target.com is now showing that 'The Goodbye Girl' is backordered. Amazon shows it as backordered. I've already sent out invites to the Booth Bijou Garage Theater for late next week and it's looking doubtful that either site can deliver it in time. Crap!

Did Warner underestimate the demand for this title?

Mark

 

[David Norman]

Did Warner underestimate the demand for this title?

Mark

I doubt it. I suspect it another in the increasing long line of production line failures from the Technicolor/Cinram deal -- It, Cats Eye, several TT titles, etc.

It appears to be available by $14 at BN.com with one of the 20% codes CX2B65SDREGKU
FS is $25 otherwise it's 2.99

There is also a 15% off 50+ cart code is you have a few things to order to get you to FS BNNOV125 though none of the codes are active for Criterions and the latter expires in about 7 hrs I think

 

[Mark Booth]

Thanks, David. I actually placed an order for the title through B&N shortly after I posted my last message. I called B&N customer service to verify they had it in stock. I was assured it was in their warehouse, but I'm still not filled with confidence given the out-of-stock everywhere else.

We'll see if B&N comes through.

Mark