Goodbye Lover Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
No one's ever been so good at being so bad.
Ben and Sandra are hot and provocative lovers, but Sandra is unfortunately married to Ben's younger brother Jake, and soon Jake will find out about Ben.
| Patricia Arquette | Sandra Dunmore |
| Dermot Mulroney | Jake Dunmore |
| Mary-Louise Parker | Peggy Blane |
| Ellen DeGeneres | Sgt. Rita Pompano |
| Ray McKinnon | Rollins |
| Alex Rocco | Det. Crowley |
| Don Johnson | Ben Dunmore |
| Andre Gregory | Rev. Finlayson |
| John Neville | Bradley |
| JoNell Kennedy | Evelyn |
| Akane Nelson | Receptionist |
| Kevin Cooney | Company Man #1 |
| Will Stewart | Dennis |
5.50 out of 10 (1284 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Go Ellen! Go Ellen! Go Ellen!
posted on 21 Jul 2009Not ever being an Ellen DeGeneres fan, I was surprised to find her my second favorite part of the movie. My first being Patricia Arquette who is at her finest in this lusciously evil role. Her outfits are tip top and her femininity is delicate, yet she kicks da bootie. What I really like about Patricia is that she doesn't suck up to Hollywood by choosing silly roles. If you like black comedies, don't miss this film. Oh, and Vincent Gallo is the cherry on top of this movie as "Mike," the hitman.
Somewhat confusing movie, sort of a black comedy, 6 of 10 rating.
posted on 12 Apr 2009"Goodbye Lover" was a Blockbuster "favorites" that I got as my weekly free rental. It was pleasantly entertaining but an easily forgettable movie.CAUTION -- SPOILERS --In the movie trailer you are led to believe that Don Johnson's character killed his brother to cover up his affair with his brother's wife, played well by Patricia Arquette. Just the opposite happened. There is a somewhat confusing wedding in L.V. where we think Johnson's and Arquette's cahracters wed, but a photo shows up which indicates that she wed her real husband. There is insurance money, and a silly cop played by Ellen Degeneres, which demonstrates why she is not an employable actress. I saw it 5 days ago and already I forgot how it ended! Not recommended.
Too many Wild Things
posted on 15 Apr 2008I guess, the director enjoyed the excellent Wild Things, but his attempt to copy it in many ways did not really work. Too many illogical twists in the storyline did not surprise, but irritate me. However, it is nice to see Don Johnson appear on the big screen again. He and Ellen DeGeneres make the movie worth watching. I give it a 7.
Quirky, twisty Film Noir, well worth watching.
posted on 24 Oct 2007If you've got nothing better to do one night and manage to catch this little gem on late night TV, then it's worth an hour and a half of your time. A stylishly shot quirky film noir with a plot that twists and turns like a twisty-turny thing. With a sizzling performance by the weird femme fatale Patricia Arquette, and great dialogue from Ellen de Generes as the laconic cop, it's a very entertaining thriller.Be warned if you are a cynic, Citizen Kane it ain't, but if you're a fan of the genre and into the Likes of Last Seduction, Bound, Palmetto etc., this underrated piece of work may just tickle your fancy.
stupid yet entertaining
posted on 08 Sep 2007Goodbye Lover is a thriller-comedy that keeps you watching although it's obvious the movie doesn't take itself too serious. Patricia Arquette is married to Dermot Mulroney and she has a lover, Don Johnson. She convinces John to kill her husband, but there's one problem: her husband is his brother.The film is very predictable, with only 2-3 exceptions. All the murders come along absoultely normal and if you add a totally annoying sick-of-life cop, Ellen de Generes, and her help, a incredibly stupid guy from Salt Lake, you get as a result a not-so-great film. One thing saved the whole movie: the ending. Pretty original and not expected.A good watch, if you're in the mood for a simple thriller. Good performances from the actors. Vote: 5 out of 10.
surprisingly passable entertainment
posted on 30 Jul 2007okay, firstly i have to admit i goofed up big time. the screenplay to this movie is co-written by a certain joel cohen. i in my half bored-to-death stupor thought it was joel coen of fargo, hudsucker proxy and o! brother fame. so i decided to watch this movie on t.v the other day.the movie though is surprisingly not so bad, it is a silly little crime thriller (?) or a smart little dark comedy ... or somewhere in between, doesnt matter. the fact of the matter is that the plot is quite unbelievable and silly, but thee are enough interesting twists coming at you all the time, that it doesnt seem so bad at all.have a little patience and you might well be rewarded in watching this quirky little movie. give it a shot, it aint all that bad. patricia arquette is a total miscast as the femme fatale, very unconvincing. ellen degeneres is quite funny (rude, yes. but funny still) the rest of the cast just fills up the numbers in this not so bad dark comedy / light thrillera mildly entertaining 7!
A sexy, noirish thriller that keeps you guessing
posted on 18 Feb 2007The opening scene of Goodbye Lover is perhaps the most subtle part of the whole film: Patricia Arquette as Sandra, an LA realtor, is shown driving down a busy LA freeway while listening intently to a self-motivational tape. With this as evidence, we just _know_ this chick's nuts. And as the movie goes on, our suspicions are proved correct: we watch as Sandra schemes to kill her husband, Jake (Dermot Mulroney), along with her lover, who also happens to be Jake's brother, Ben (Don Johnson, in a particularly solid performance). But after Sandra's plan "succeeds", we learn that things aren't nearly as simple as they seem.Rather, as we meet more and more characters, we find that each one is secretly screwing the other (In both senses of the word). A "good" girl played by Mary-Louise Parker and a cynical LA cop played by Ellen DeGeneres become embroiled in Sandra's web of deceit, and as each person succumbs to his/her avarice, the script gets funnier and funnier. In the end, it's a close tie between Arquette and Ellen for the most memorable moments in the film, but both characters have certain qualities that make them enjoyable to watch. Arquette's Sandra is a seductive and especially shrewd femme fatale who hums choruses from the Sound of Music while prancing about other people's homes (Arquette is the perfect Real Estate Agent From Hell). Meanwhile, DeGeneres' Rita Pompano is hilariously aloof to the lives of the people around her, casually dropping off-hand (And almost always crude and sarcastic) comments that demonstrate just how wise she is to Sandra's lusty motivations.Sorry to say, I can't divulge too much of the film without spoiling it, but Goodbye Lover is something like a cross between The Last Seduction and Wild Things. However, unlike the ridiculous series of plot twists that just about ruined Wild Things, Goodbye Lover manages to avoid being too obvious in order to fulfill one's desire for a satisfying conclusion. Overall, I'd have to rate this sexy, noirish thriller with a well-deserved "A".
Twisted and corrupt: overdone.
posted on 14 Feb 2007Goodbye Lover is another run of the mill film about lust and betrayal. A man (Don Johnson) sleeps with his brother's wife (Patricia Arquette), and soon the brother (Dermot Mulroney) finds out about it. Soon enough, people are being murdered "accidentally" left right and centre. A detective (Ellen DeGeneres) finds herself enthralled in the case, and soon enough the whole movie falls apart after a could-be intriguing intro.The movie is intensely artificial and beaten to a pulp. Just when you think the movie might end, another lame plot twist is thrown at you, but it's always something which has been done before.I didn't despise this movie. The acting was decent, thought at times a bit corny and fraudulent. As for a fresh and innovative script, you'll have to search for somewhere else.
I really enjoyed this movie
posted on 14 Nov 2006I'd never heard of this movie and came across it as it was starting on cable last night. I only intended to watch a few minutes of it and then go to sleep but I ended up watching the whole thing. I was particularly intrigued with Ellen Degeneres' character, a hard-boiled, seen-it-all detective with a great sense of timing and humor. I was also very impressed with the direction and editing, the movie moves at a fast, bright clip, it's quick and sexy and funny. And I liked Patricia Arquette as the conspiring wife, she plays her role with deft accuracy. Unlike the first reviewer of this movie who found the plot twists predictable, neither my husband nor I saw them coming. I thought this was a thoroughly enjoyable movie, I'm only sorry we missed seeing it on the big screen.
Liked it, don't understand the negative comments!
posted on 30 May 2006I rented this movie last night after my boyfriend said he'd liked it. We ended up quoting lines and scenes at each other all day today. I checked in here to verify a cast member, and saw all these negative reviews... I have to say, I don't get it. It's got good actors having fun with over-the-top roles, and lots of funny and memorable tidbits. It's worth watching for Mary-Louise Parker alone. The only clunker was the bartender knowing Dermot Mulroney and Don Johnson were brothers "because they look alike" - not! It's maybe more camp than noir, but definitely entertaining.
Ellen Degeneres is sharp as a knife
posted on 14 May 2006I just caught the last half hour of this darkly comical movie and was greatly entertained. Unconventional script, sharp dialogue, unpredictable twists, clever use of film references (Sound of Music!), unrestrained waving of guns and splattering of stage blood.Most of all, I was pleased to discover that Ellen Degeneres is genuinely witty and clever when she wants to be, and has excellent deadpan comic timing. Having only seen her in dreadful anodyne TV sitcoms before, her cynical, edgy, laconic character in this film was quite a revelation. Go, Ellen! Don't waste yourself on primetime television.
Indulge! (minor spoilers)
posted on 30 Apr 2006Goodbye Lover may start out like pure trashy nonsense what with Don Johnson (as Ben) and Patricia Arquette (as Sandra) running around in the church having enough sex to make a person cross-eyed. The story finally takes off when the characters do more talking and we find out that the couple's affair (Ben's sleeping with his brother's wife) turns awry once Ben decides he's had enough and Sandra's decided that he's not getting off light, even though he'd like to forget the whole mess, her included. But, lo! Someone plunges some forty stories to his (or her) death, someone with a life insurance policy worth millions (of course). Now, if you are literate in modern noir, you know that there is always a financial motive to murder, that more than one person is after the money (including not-so-clean-cut investigators and other law enforcement), and everyone is willing to turn on another (with the body count rising) to get away free with the riches. That's the kind of story we have here, and sometimes it is a little confusing as to what exactly the plan is and just who is in on it, as we are thrown a few clever surprises here and there. Bottom line: trust no one. The movie is pretty funny, despite the creepy characters and their shameful and casual approach to stuffing their pockets. And much of the comedy element comes from Ellen Degeneres who plays Sgt. Pampano, a cynical sarcastic investigator who knows that the inital murder (which set off the other chain of events) is no accident, and that everyone has a darkside, despite her optimistic, and often naive partner, Rollins (Ray McKinnon). It is quite an entertaining thriller, once you get past the first ten minutes or so. Once the victim plunges to his death from the top floor, the movie actually starts to become a pretty interesting, wholly involving story. A funny one, too. Excellent.
well!!!!!!!!
posted on 17 Mar 2006Saw this on T.V. That's about right. Only thing it lacked was the words "true life" and "starring Brian Deneheney" to be a true T.V movie.........Horrible. After years of miami vice it gives Don Johnson an excuse to swear and have nudity scenes... Well that was worth it. And as for Ellen appearing...
More twists and turns than the Nurburgring but not nearly as much fun
posted on 29 Nov 2005It is extremely difficult to sleep in weather like this, especially if you're off work and not doing much during the day. That may sound like the understatement of the year but it's the only reason I can think of for watching this anonymous film last night on BBC 1. Described as a comic thriller (surely an oxymoron if ever there was one), I was reminded of so many other films whilst watching "Goodbye Lover" and nearly all of them were better than this. Despite an impressive cast, its lack of cohesion causes the plot to twist so much that it ends up eating its own tail. A shame, really, because Patricia Arquette's femme fatale is such a good character that she doesn't deserve to languish in this turgid mess.Don Johnson plays Ben, a PR guru working alongside his alcoholic brother Jake (Dermot Mulroney). But Ben hides a secret - he has been having an affair with Jake's wife Sandra (Arquette). After meeting and falling for Peggy (Mary-Louise Parker) at work, Ben decides to end the relationship with Sandra but she is reluctant to let go of him. Before long, things take a murderous twist and it's up to foul-mouthed Detective Pompano (Ellen DeGeneres) and her buttoned-up partner (Ray McKinnon) to solve the case.In what must be the heist of the century, this film borrows so much from other films that it must be a criminal offence. It reminded me of things like "Fatal Attraction" and "Basic Instinct" but while there is nothing wrong with these influences, "Goodbye Lover" is a long way from those giddy heights. It had that awful 'TV movie' feel to it all and at times, it looked cheap and tacky. Credit is due to the actors, especially Arquette and DeGeneres who comes across quite differently from other things I've seen her in. But the writing is the biggest let-down and by the time the climax had arrived, I was no longer surprised by yet another twist. I'm sure, if you pay attention to things like this, you'll see them all coming but personally, each new twist came as a disjointed shock to the system and made the whole film feel disconnected and written on the fly. The only character I had any sympathy for was poor murdered Ben and it's not right that the character you empathise with the most is only in it for the first third of the movie.I honestly don't feel as if this movie is worth all the praise others seemed to have heaped on it. It's silly, not that funny (unless people making love in a church is your idea of comedy) and unlikely to hold your interest for too long. Yes, Arquette steals the movie with vampish ease but if I want to watch a decent modern film noir then I'll stick with "Body Heat" which is better, sexier and much more enjoyable. This, by contrast, is needlessly convoluted and not nearly as much fun. Serves me right - I should have been trying to get to sleep instead of watching this.
Good black comedy
posted on 15 Aug 2005I read all those negative comments. I rented this movie yesterday because first I couldn't decide which film I want to see. But finally I was pleasently surprised by this good comedy and by the acting of Don Johnson and mainly Ellen DeGeneres. Her detective Rita Pompano is very funny and I love her cynicism.This is the main reason why I vote 7 to this movie.
Not bad
posted on 22 Jun 2005I'm not a fan of Ellen DeGeneris, but she was pretty darn good in this, really the highlight of the film. While there were too many twists and turns and the ending was a pretty ho-hum, it was interesting enough to keep your interest. Vincent Gallo has a pretty cool cameo and there were just as many plot twists that were unpredictable as there were ones that were obvious. I really don't have much more to say, but there is a ten line minimum so i will just keep typing until i have ten lines, you can stop reading, i'm just typing to get to ten lines, really not saying anything to this point, just trying to get to ten lines.
funny neonoir
posted on 08 Mar 2005Once again I have to say I don't see where all the negativity is coming from. This is a very funny movie. I am not a DeGenerus fan, but I thought she was hilarious here. Patricia Arquette is one of my favorites and I thought she was great! Sexy and smart and innocent in a way notwithstanding all her scheming. The three main male roles are played well. I have a job where we watch a lot movies and I have shared this with 10 or 12 others, and each of them has loved this film. Give it a chance if you like laidback, funny neonoir.
A very dull film.
posted on 25 Jan 2005So here's the story outline. Ben is having an affair with his alcoholic brother Jake's wife Sandra.Ben gets involved with a co-worker called Peggy and Sandra gets jealous letting Jake know about the affair. Both Jake and Sandra then kill Ben.The story should have just ended there, but then there is an insurance claim, Jake and Sandra think they will get it, but then they find out that Ben got married to Peggy. In comes in Rita Pompano, a sergeant, who then tries to solve not just Ben's murder but Peggy's too... Patricia Arquette plays Sandra, who really lives to up the blonde bimbo routine, Dermot Mulroney looks and acts strange in the whole movie and Don Johnson dies. Ellen DeGeneres had some good lines, the sarcasm didn't quite fall into place in every scene that she had, but she was okay. The movie was just so dull it did no justice towards the talent that was used for it!
This movie was smart, unpredictable, and thoroughly enjoyable.
posted on 02 Aug 2009I wasn't sure what to expect when I went to see Goodbye Lover. All I knew was that it had Ellen DeGeneres in it and I would see anything with her in it. I didn't know whether I would actually like the film or not. Well, I wasn't disappointed. Goodbye Lover was a perfectly dark comedy, perfectly meshed with a well-written thriller. There were quite a few tricky camera shots that impressed me as well. I won't summarize the film, as it would take away from the plot-twists and their effect while you are watching the movie. But this movie is highly recommended by me and the people I went to the film with. It's a unique movie, you're unlikely to see anything like it anytime soon. Go see it while you still can in the theaters!