Romantic Comedy (1983 film)
| Romantic Comedy | |
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Original poster
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| Directed by | Arthur Hiller |
| Produced by |
Morton Gottlieb Walter Mirisch |
| Written by | Bernard Slade |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Marvin Hamlisch |
| Cinematography | David M. Walsh |
| Edited by | John C. Howard |
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Production
company |
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| Distributed by | MGM/UA Entertainment Co. |
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Release date
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Running time
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103 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $6,857,733 |
Romantic Comedy is a 1983 American romantic comedy film directed by Arthur Hiller and starring Dudley Moore and Mary Steenburgen. The screenplay by Bernard Slade is based on his 1979 play of the same title.
Jason Kramer is a popular New York City playwright in desperate need of a new writing partner who can provide him with inspiration. Phoebe Craddock is a small-town teacher who aspires to be a writer.
On the day Jason is marrying wealthy socialite Allison St. James, he meets Phoebe, stripping naked in front of her when he mistakes her for a masseuse.
The two embark on a professional partnership. Over the course of the next nine years, they produce a string of plays, some flops but mostly hits. They find themselves attracted to each other but manage to avoid becoming involved romantically except for a one-nighter out of town, which the aloof Jason fails to even acknowledge the next morning. As time passes, Jason's marriage suffers as Allison runs for political office.
His agent Blanche remains a constant, mothering presence as years go by. Jason is still a husband and a father while Phoebe remains a close family friend. But he permanently loses the respect of both his wife and writing partner by having a fling with a pushy Hollywood actress, Kate Mallory, as well as changing a new play at her request.
Jason goes to pieces after his wife divorces him while Phoebe gets married to newspaper reporter Leo Janowitz. Phoebe moves away, ends their professional partnership and becomes a successful author. When they are reunited for the first time in years, Jason picks an argument with Phoebe in a restaurant and has a heart attack.
Upon coming home, Jason does everything in his power to sabotage Phoebe's marriage while she moves in to take care of him. Leo can plainly see that his wife is in love with Jason and possibly always has been, so he leaves her. Phoebe ultimately invites Jason to try a new kind of collaboration.
The film was shot on location in New York City. Sutton Square, the cul-de-sac at the end of East 58th Street just east of Sutton Place, is used as the exterior location for the home of the lead character.
The song "Maybe" was written by Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Marvin Hamlisch and performed by Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack.
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