Best Friends

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Best Friends

PG,

1982,

1h 56m,

Romance/

Comedy

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Watchlist

70%

10 Reviews

Tomatometer

30%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

30%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

For years, screenwriting team Richard Babson (Burt Reynolds) and Paula McCullen (Goldie Hawn) have built a successful Hollywood career while managing to live harmoniously together. After finishing their latest script, Babson uses the euphoria to convince McCullen to take the leap into marriage. However, when the newlywed couple travels back east to meet their respective in-laws, the pitfalls of marriage begin to surface. Unprepared, Babson and McCullen struggle with the changing dynamics.

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

May 8, 2019

3.5/4

So far, this sounds like a series of fairly predictable scenes. But they're redeemed by the writing and acting. The dialogue doesn't sound like reprocessed sitcom, and there are charming moments.

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Nov 12, 2018

There are lots of laughs in the script by Valerie Curtin and Barry Levinson, as well as wry insights into modern relationships.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Mar 26, 2009

A very engaging film.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Jan 14, 2019

2.5/4

There's little doubt that Best Friends fares best in its compulsively watchable opening stretch...

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Jun 10, 2012

C

Considering the source material (real life of writers Barry Levinson and Valerie Curtin, and the caliber of stars, Hawn and Reynolds, this comedy is disappointingly shallow and predictable.

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Aug 19, 2005

4/5

Honest, touching and funny. An underrated gem that deserves to be rediscovered.

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Jan 27, 2019

The best movie song ever sung: How Do You Keep the Music Playing?!

Harry G

Jan 20, 2019

Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn play screenwriting partners, and longtime romantic partners, who decide to get married and then find that marriage is not the same as being "best friends." Written by Barry Levinson ("Diner" "The Natural" "Avalon") and Valerie Curtin (who co-wrote "...and justice for all" "Inside Moves" and "Unfaithfully Yours" with Levinson), based the story on their own lives as writing partners. The film was directed by Norman Jewison ("In the Heat of the Night" "Moonstruck" "Rollerball") and was shot by Jordan Cronenweth ("Blade Runner" "Stop Making Sense" "Peggy Sue Got Married"), along with music by Michel Legrand ("Summer of '42" "The Thomas Crown Affair"), so considering all of the talent behind the camera and in front of the camera, which also included Jessica Tandy, Keenan Wynn, Ron Silver, and Richard LIbertini, the film is somewhat of a disappointment. However, although the film is not as good as I would have hoped, the stars have a likable chemistry and have a fun Tracy/Hepburn type of relationship, where the male and female leads are presented as equals, which is rarely the case with romantic comedies. Watchable if you're a fan of the two leads.

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Norman Jewison

Director

Burt Reynolds

Richard Babson

Goldie Hawn

Paula McCullen

Jessica Tandy

Eleanor McCullen

Barnard Hughes

Tim McCullen

Audra Lindley

Ann Babson

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Synopsis

For years, screenwriting team Richard Babson (Burt Reynolds) and Paula McCullen (Goldie Hawn) have built a successful Hollywood career while managing to live harmoniously together. After finishing their latest script, Babson uses the euphoria to convince McCullen to take the leap into marriage. However, when the newlywed couple travels back east to meet their respective in-laws, the pitfalls of marriage begin to surface. Unprepared, Babson and McCullen struggle with the changing dynamics.

Director: Norman Jewison
Producer: Norman Jewison, Patrick J. Palmer
Screenwriter: Valerie Curtin, Barry Levinson
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts, Major Studio Partners
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 1982, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 5, 2008
Runtime: 1h 56m

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