Thoughts on Murphy's Romance

 

via IMDB

"I've done a lot of dumb things in my life. I married too young. I married the wrong guy. I never went to college."

"Spilt milk."

"Give me some advice, Murphy. You know a lot. You've lived a long time."

"You want advice? Write Dear Abby. You got problems, take 'em to your local minister. Your head isn't on straight, the mental health clinic is in the phonebook. I'm not a lifeguard, I don't put up bail and I'm not your damn Dutch uncle."

*Murphy (James Garner) kisses Emma (Sally Field), then leads her out of his drugstore.*

"Now, if you don't know how things are, you're not as smart as I thought you were."

An old man in love is like a flower in winter, according to the proverb. You can interpret that idea as foolish or impossible, but I've always seen it like a miracle that shouldn't be questioned. Watching Murphy's Romance, where a divorced 33-year-old mother finds happiness with a 60-year-old widower, is sure to inspire thoughts of unseasonable blooms.

I don't have a whole lot to say about Romance. It's apparent that Murphy and Emma are right for each other and that they'll end up together, although they apparently didn't in the source material, Max Schott's novella. Well, score one for Hollywood. Let's give a few more points to a team including director Martin Ritt, writers Harriet Frank Jr. & Irving Ravetch and producer Laura Ziskin, for making a movie that's sweet, unpretentious and absolutely engrossing.

Emma, divorced from Bobby Jack (Brian Kerwin), has relocated to small town Arizona to operate a stable. As she and son Jake (Corey Haim) get used to their new surroundings, friendship and aid comes (of course) from Murphy. He's something of the town catch, but genuinely cares for Emma. Things get complicated when Bobby Jack shows up, apparently to win Emma back. Then again, he's the type to move their anniversary up two weeks just to have a party. As Murphy tells Emma, the neighbors think three is a mighty interesting number.

Romance has a few tricks up its sleeve. One, it doesn't waste time with manufactured drama involving Jake. He does get bummed out when Emma tells him she's not reuniting with Bobby Jack, but we don't get any prolonged pouting, fighting with Murphy, etc. For that matter, while Murphy and Bobby Jack trade a few barbs, they don't get a brawl. Shoot, they even end up dancing with each other when Emma gets tired of each man cutting in when she's with the other.

This is a very cute movie -- Garner and Field do an awful lot of bantering, about everything from living in a town where you can carry a gun but not have an abortion ("I don't want to do either."), to what it's like when you're her age and living like a nun ("You're seasoned, not sagging.") to how to wear a cowboy hat (actually, that one belongs to Garner, Haim and Kerwin) -- but it's also irresistible.

"Separate the men from the boys, Emma. I show some wear, I don't deny it. If the fruit hangs on the tree long enough, it gets ripe. I'm durable. I'm steady. I'm faithful. And I'm in love. For the last time in my life."

"I'm in love for the first time in my life."

Recommended.

Thoughts:
-- "You mean to tell me if there were a fly on these pants instead of a zipper, I'd get the loan?" "You'd have a better chance." "Well ... I'd go out on the streets, but you've only got one."

-- Box Office: Grossing nearly $30.9 on a $13 million budget, this opened wide at No. 4 and came in at No. 29 for 1985.

-- Critic's Corner: "Pretty as a picture, mildly amusing and as phony as a laugh track," Vincent Canby wrote. Others were kinder. "Gets it all right," according to Roger Ebert. "It's nice to see a scaled-down movie that delves gracefully into the nature of mature love," Paul Attanasio wrote. People: "Garner has found the role of a lifetime."

-- Awards Watch: Garner scored an Oscar nomination, losing to William Hurt, and a Golden Globe nomination, losing to Jack Nicholson. Field, a Golden Globe nominee, lost to Kathleen Turner. Additionally, William A. Fraker's cinematography lost the Oscar to David Watkin for Out of Africa.

-- Fanservice Junction: Bobby Jack catches Emma looking as he walks naked to take a shower.

-- Memorable Music: While I want to give points for Carole King's score and songs, including "Running Lonely" over the opening credits and "Love for the Last Time" over the end credits, I wasn't especially impressed with them. Sorry, Carole. Maybe they'll grow on me.

Courtesy YouTube

-- Hey, It's ... !: Dennis Burkley (last seen in Mask), Anna Levine (last seen in Desperately Seeking Susan), Charles Lane and King herself.

-- Hey, It's 1985!: The issue of People in Murphy's store, reporting on Prince Harry's christening and feuding between princesses Diana and Anne, is dated Jan. 14. More specific to the era than the year, we have Jake saying his school doesn't have a computer.

-- Meh Moments in Shilling: The movie theater is showing, for whatever reason, The China Syndrome and Friday the 13th Part III.

-- "Emma, no one is perfect." "Bobby Jack, you've never even been close."

-- Next: So far, we're still on track for The Stuff (Tuesday), The Bride (Wednesday; may be cut), Smooth Talk (Thursday), Trouble in Mind (Friday), A Chorus Line (Saturday; may be cut) and a Sunday finale.