A Perfect Couple (1979)

Director:

Robert Altman

Writers:

Robert Altman (written by) &
Allan F. Nicholls (written by)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

What do you do when everything between the two of you seems wrong? ...fall in love.

Plot Keywords:

Musician | Dating | Singer | Videotape | Dating Service

Cast

Paul Dooley	...	Alex Theodopoulos
Marta Heflin	...	Sheila Shea
Titos Vandis	...	Panos Theodopoulos
Belita Moreno	...	Eleousa
Henry Gibson	...	Fred Bott
Dimitra Arliss	...	Athena
Allan F. Nicholls	...	Dana 115
Ann Ryerson	...	Skye 147 Veterinarian
Poppy Lagos	...	Melpomeni Bott
Dennis Franz	...	Costa
Margery Bond	...	Wilma
Mona Golabek	...	Mona
Terry Wills	...	Ben
Susan Blakeman	...	Penelope Bott
Melanie Bishop	...	Star

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG | USA:PG

Company:

Lions Gate Films

Trivia:

The role of Sheila Shea was originally written for 'Sandy Dennis'. Paul Dooley was seriously allergic to cats though, and when cat-lover Dennis would come to the script readings with up to five cats at a time, he was briefly hospitalized. As a result, 'Allan Nichols' re-wrote the role of Sheila Shea from an Earth Mother type to the young singer/groupie played by Marta Heflin.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Directors: The Films of Robert Altman (#2.9)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Somp'ins Got A Hold On Me

Perfect? Really?

This movie had feeble comedy, no chemistry, and a plot that slogged along as if wading through knee-deep mud. Marta Heflin, presumably cast for her swan-like, melancholic countenance, was unbearably dull. It was as if she was in a Quaalude haze throughout the entire film. I could barely sit through the repeated almost-but-not-quite hookup scenes, watching Heflin affect doe-eyed bashfulness while flimsy garments were peeled off her skeletal shoulders. As for the band scenes, which accounted for nearly half the film, think vocal chords strained very nearly to rupturing and lots of white polyester vests. This movie is a bona-fide stinker. Were there any characters that were at all interesting? Well, there was a crying baby that made a few appearances.