LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR (1977)

Written & Directed By: Richard Brooks 
Based On The Novel By: Judith Krasner 
Cinematography By: William A. Fraker 
Editor: George Grenville 

Cast: Daine Keaton, Richard Gere, William Atherton, Tuesday Weld, Richard Kiley, Brian Dennehy, Tom Berenger, LeVar Burton Julius Harris, Richard Bright 


A dedicated schoolteacher spends her nights cruising bars, looking for abusive men with whom she can engage in progressively violent sexual encounters.

The events depicted in both the book and the movie were inspired by the events surrounding the brutal real-life 1973 murder of twenty-seven year old New York City schoolteacher Roseann Quinn.

Watching this. Not only does it stay noteworthy as a time capsule of mood and social atttitudes and behavior at the time, but it seems a rather extreme warning sign of what that behavior will lead to l. So a kind of message movie while also being a social issue film. With plenty of disco music, drugs of all kinds and an open sexuality as well as many sex partners and the lack Of definition in the relationships.

The film makes it seem like her behavior is more coming out of repression from her father.

That feels realistic but also is a dark fairytale as Diane Keaton keeps meeting these side characters who take her deeper down the rabbit hole to dangerous experiences and behavior as well as driving her to the dark side.

Which becomes a little more obvious with the repeated appearances of a young and charismatic Richard Gere. Showcasing his leading man looks and working off of pure hustle and testosterone.

Where she wants to have fun but also punishes herself. While Leading a double life one in which is prim and proper and almost righteous dating a nice guy and another that is more free spirited and take, with abandon.

Later in the film when the nice guy proves to have a dark side as well it comes off as creepy and unnerving. As he seemed to serve as her unknowing beard. More of a friend than lover yet both claiming themselves in a romantic relationship. Even though he already comes across as desperate that you kind of feel.

Sorry for him. Especially free building him up and then treating him like a murder suspect in a mystery film. Even though his character previously studied to be a priest. That feels only done because of the film's reputation and add to the many men in her life who might be behind her attack that happens at the end. Most likely out of revenge rather than just random. Just like New York City where this film takes place in. Played by William Atherton known as the man who played noticeable asshole and villains in movies of the 80's and partly 90's. Whom when you look back at his 70's career he played more leading man type roles with dark undercurrents (DAY IF THE LOCUST. Which is a strange beautiful trip itself. That walks the line of camp, comedy, bad, drama, insane, exploitation and beautiful all At once)

Though also the film changes to a degree as her lives start to mix and come dangerously close. Also represented as her hook-up and dealer comes looking for her at her job.

Leading to the random ending that feels only partly justified as it has a thrilling and unpredictable build up. Though ends the way you suspect and allows the audience and the film to look down on Diane Keaton's character to a degree.

Watching a young Diane Keaton is fun growing up With her as playing usually the older patriarch. So in seeing her early in her career where she has so much abandon seems so liberating. Like being reminded your parents were young once and being able to see them in their element and habitat before they became careful and enforcers of rules for your betterment. In this film she is so open playing a repressed character who seems to be on the run from something emotionally. That it is dazzling. As she is probably better Than the film and it's material. It is more of a star performance.

Diane Keaton’s contract explicitly prohibited the manufacture of any production photograph stills from any "sexually suggestive" frames from the film's print.

The film keeps the scenes busy when she is on drugs but slow, Cold and bare when sober. To make reality hit harder it seems. Having her character be a special education teacher to kids with special needs seems over the top to more endear her to the audience by making her seem saintly in her normal square life.

The Sexual affairs she has seems to be the worst of her behavior as she takes lovers at will and seems to pay the price for each one who all seem to turn emotionally or physically psycho and abusive.

They end up resembling Reoccurring phantoms welcoming at first then truly haunting and harmful

The film can easily be seen as a Morality tale. That tires to show the climate of the times that might have been eye opening at the time but now watching it. It almost feels over the top and ridiculous. These films come along with each generation to either document or scold look at films such as KIDS, OVER THE EDGE

Though these films are usually used more with teenagers to shock the adults about the younger generation. This one seems to be about bankrupt behavior and trends.

Though it was the popular pop music at the times. To some it proved that most were on drugs and high because of it's popularity and acceptance but only for a brief time before it seems most came to their senses and is treated with shame the that eventually rears it's head again to make a comeback that takes comfort In Being retro.

His character seems to taunt her after awhile after being embarrassed. Then wants to act all high and mighty when it comes to her behavior. The film's source "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" novel was turned down for filming an adaptation by directors Mike Nichols, Sydney Pollack and Roman Polanski.

The film tries to make it seem like it's just hard for a modern day woman. But then goes off the deep end a bit with all her behavior going bad and seeming to become a drug addict. As the main men in her life the good and the bad both seem to care but the nice guy is bad for her for his own reasons and the bad guy who tends to save her on different occasions is also bad for her for different reasons usually borrowing and preying on her for money and shelter.

Trying to show you can't abandon or run away from your problems because in the cold light of day you are still alone, hungover and alone. The third act shows the danger of bringing random people home especially when they are just as damaged if it even more than you.

The ending is rather extreme with a man who is having a hard time with his sexuality and thinks that anything she does is either humiliating or insulting and him reacting over the top does happen, but the way it is presented is scary even if at times seems a little too much. The film tries not to be preachy but it's ending slaps you in the face with it.


Grade: B