W2TCH

The Heartbreak Kid (1972)

1972 • 1h 45m • Comedy, Romance • PG
On September 27, 2026
#11768▼ 2808
11768th by Pulse movie online
32.9PULSEPulse MeterOur daily Pulse Meter measures public activity and popularity signals across the web.How it works →

All reviews

CinemaSerf on The Heartbreak Kid

7/10 · Jul 14, 2025

It seems that if you're trying to win over someone’s daughter, claiming to be a newlywed might not be the smartest approach. This gives a hint about the predicament facing “Lenny” (Charles Grodin), who has recently celebrated his marriage to “Lila” (Jeannie Berlin) and is now on a honeymoon trip to the coast. It doesn't take long before he encounters "Kelly" (Cybill Shepherd) at a specific spot on the beach, then her usual place at a bar, and seemingly everywhere else he goes she’s nearby. He develops an attraction to her, and unfortunately for him, his wife suffers a bad sunburn that keeps her in bed. While she's recovering, “Lenny” gets involved in some silly escapades, which lead to him crashing a dinner with the wealthy family he hopes will become his new in-laws. The mother (Audra Lindley) is pleasant enough, but the father (Eddie Albert) has no interest in this irresponsible man, and when the aforementioned confession comes out, you can imagine how that goes over. Undeterred, “Lenny” decides he needs to take charge and try to make things right for everyone, but what are his chances of not ending up with nothing? The film features four solid performances, and Neil Simon’s clever dialogue keeps the story just about on track despite "Lenny's" increasingly unpleasant behavior as his hormones selfishly get the best of him. There's a particularly awkward and funny scene involving him, his wife “Lila,” some pecan pie (or not), and a quarter for the restroom that really captures his character while also letting Berlin have her moments to quietly stand out. I wasn’t thrilled with how it concluded, but throughout the film, it does offer some commentary on Jewish anxieties, romantic getaways, and male arrogance.

Source on TMDB