dougdoepke The movie's a comedy, I think, though it produces as many cringes as laughs. It's hard not to laugh at poor Lila (Berlin) as she flubs her honeymoon with sunburn crème blotches, oozing egg sandwiches, and ill-timed bathroom breaks. But then she's so emotionally needy, it's hard not to laugh and cry at the same time. On the other hand, husband Lenny's (Grodin) got all the empathy of a ham sandwich, as he chases after blonde goddess Kelly (Shepherd), piling one absence excuse on Lila after another. This is the honeymoon from heck, especially after the goddess-struck Lenny sues for divorce. But then he does grant Lila "the luggage".The humor's in the character set-ups, and Lenny's special brand of chutzpah. A little fast- talking, he thinks, gets him out of any situation. That is, until he runs into Kelly's humorless dad (Albert). Seems like the proverbial irresistible force has run into the immovable object. But has it. Grodin's appropriately obnoxious when Lenny needs to be; Berlin's vulnerable when Lila needs to be; Shepherd's gorgeous without trying; while Albert's stony mug belongs on Mt. Rushmore. And catch that contemplative ending, not what I expected, but probably appropriate for what's gone before.All in all, the movie's something of a guilty pleasure and certainly one of a kind. I do, however, miss Grodin's smirking brand of put-on.

Jackson Booth-Millard I had seen the Ben Stiller remake of this film before this original version, and I found out this original was in the book of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, so I had to see whether it deserved that inclusion. Basically Jewish New York sporting goods salesman Lenny Cantrow (Golden Globe nominated Charles Grodin) has just got married to fellow Jewish New Yorker Lila Kolodny (Oscar and Golden Globe nominated Jeannie Berlin), and they setting off for a three day honeymoon in Miami. On the journey and arriving at the Doral Hotel on the beach he is becoming bothered by the smallest or most annoying aspects about his new wife, making him question whether it was mistake to marry her, so he makes numerous excuses to get away from her. Lenny thinks his marriage was a bad decision even more when he meets vacationing witty and gorgeous student Kelly Corcoran (Cybill Shepherd), so he makes even more excuses to Lila to spend time with this young woman. Eventually however he confesses to his wife that he does not want to be married anymore due to both this new love interest and because he has become impatient with her, it is unclear whether his new girl feels the same way but he is really keen to marry her following a divorce. Returning home and having divorced Kelly he knows that Lila is attending college in Minnesota, he knows that if he is going to go any further with her he should meet her parents, and he does not make a good impression with her overly protective and hostile father Mr. Corcoran (Oscar nominated Eddie Albert). It is an obstacle convincing the father to think well of him, but eventually Lenny is accepted by the family and he is allowed to marry Kelly, and this time it is really a happy wedding for him and her equally. Also starring Audra Lindley as Mrs. Corcoran, William Prince as Colorado Man, Augusta Dabney as Colorado Woman, Mitchell Jason as Cousin Ralph, Art Metrano as Entertainer, Marilyn Putnam as Mrs. Kolodny, Jack Hausman as Mr. Kolodny and Doris Roberts as Mrs. Cantrow. Grodin is reasonably good fun as the easily irritated newlywed husband, Berlin is funny constantly being needy and annoying, Shepherd is nice enough as the new love interest, and from what I remember Albert is fine as the bigoted father of the new love interest. The story does not have a build up before the wedding, there is not much slapstick, it seems a bit more serious, and there were some nice love story moments, I will be honest and say that I preferred the remake, but I supposed I can see it as a near must see romantic drama. It was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay. It was number 91 on 100 Years, 100 Laughs. Worth watching!

SmileysWorld I had seen Ben Stiller's 2007 remake of this film.It was nothing short of awful,but I thought to myself,surely the original,which I had not as yet seen,isn't this bad.I went with the film's basic idea,which was funny yet tragic in a way,and decided to see if it told the story better.Took a while to find it because I can never find it on television,and it isn't available through my video mailing service.Finally found it on the web and gave it a gander.Overall,I was impressed.It was perfectly casted from top to bottom.Who wouldn't fall in love with Cybill Shepherd? I also enjoyed Eddie Albert as the "rich brick wall" of a father to Cybill's character.I did feel bad for the Grodin's bride and I do wish that they hadn't left her fate so open ended.The moral of the story is clear;Don't marry someone just because you are in a hurry to settle down.Sometimes true love takes a while.Wait for it.

kenjha While on honeymoon with his nice Jewish bride, an indecisive young man meets the woman of his dreams. May elicits good performances and keeps it entertaining but the script is not one of Simon's best. Grodin is terrific as the schmuck who sees an opportunity to go for the gold in the form of WASP beauty Shepherd. Berlin (daughter of May) steals the film as the jilted wife, a loving if not lovely woman that one wants to give a reassuring hug to. The scene where Grodin dumps her is indeed heartbreaking. Albert is funny as Shepherd's stern father, who eventually tries to buy off Grodin. This film has parallels to "The Graduate," although it is nowhere as good as that classic.