Recently dumped by his girlfriend, struggling novelist and greeting card writer Steve Martin becomes one of New York City's Lonely Guys: unattached fellows who dine alone, sleep alone, take care of their ferns and occasionally jump off the Manhattan Bridge. Neil Simon's adaptation of Bruce Jay Friedman's book "The Lonely Guy's Book of Life", scripted by Stan Daniels and Ed. Weinberger, isn't full of great jokes, but does have enough of them to sustain enjoyment for about an hour. Once Martin becomes a success--writing a handbook for the Lonely Guys of the world--the picture has no place left to go and dies. Director Arthur Hiller probably didn't understand episodic comedy--his linking device between skits, conversations between Martin and lonesome cohort Charles Grodin, is occasionally more amusing and potentially more interesting than the main narrative--but Steve Martin is working at the peak of his charms and some of the gags have a low-key spark of genius. ** from ****

Well this right here is an underrated comedy if you've ever, ever known about one. I mean it's ridiculous it would get a 6point average, whoever those fans voting possibly are.It's absolutely excellent as a comedy in that it contains all the necessary criteria a said top notch comedy needs to have.The concept was original and superbly well carried out from the opening moments to the very last scene. The funny factor that is generated at the very start never lets down, it's a continuous high-bar level maintained to the conclusion. The humor is dark, terribly dark at times but never complacently edgy or cynical, it's healthy but really really nasty and dark. There's an element of (the later show) Seinfeld in the dialog in how they'll pick a totally random topic and stretch it out, as if it mattered at all and deserved so much airtime in an official release. The film is so at ease at what it does, it's got this totally natural rhythm, lots of twists and turns and superb command over changes in gear, and it never feels too random or over-the-top, it's always centered, grounded, self-identified, strong humor and narrative development.The Charles Grodin character is especially hilarious.The disruptive factor (Iris' problems with men) is genuine and terribly realistic, and yet given so much volume and sits so well in the plot and doesn't feel like an old familiar relationship problem chorus dragged on forever.Excellent comedy. It must be said. 8.5 or 9/10.

'The Lonely Guy' with Steve Martin is a comedic gem. Coming courtesy of Neil Simon, we are introduced to Larry Hubbard, a greeting card writer and the title character of this wonderful film. Cheated on by his girlfriend early in the film, he realizes that he is now part of a large (but silent) group of people known as Lonely Guys. He meets a fellow lonely guy (A rarely better Charles Grodin) and the two strike up a friendship based on mutual loneliness. It sounds really depressing and strange but this such a funny movie! The writing is heartfelt, and the jokes are great. Try not to laugh when Steve Martin and Charles Grodin talk about haircuts on a park bench. It's great! So many funny sight gags and wonderful jokes, that you'll be laughing all the way through. As the movie moves along we watch Larry trying to cope with his new found status as a lonely guy. Walking into a restaurant, he admits that he is dining alone for the evening. Right then, a spotlight shines on him and every customer in the restaurant stops talking and stares at him. He tries buying a dog, but when he throws a stick for the dog to catch, the dog runs away! It's full of funny scenes where you just laugh at the goofiness. One of Steve Martin's best, along with 'Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid', and 'The Man With Two Brains', give this film a chance you'll be pleasantly surprised!

Who ever had the idea to film Bruce Jay Friedman's book "The Lonely Guy's Book of Life" is most likely out of work now. None of what was probably a wry, dry, occasionally witty user's guide is conveyed by Ed Weinberger and Stan Daniel's script (adapted by Neil Simon). Instead we get a lame, lousy, limp comedy with little to laugh at.Steve Martin tries his darnedest to give us a chuckle, and his infectious persona almost saves something from this flick. Alas he, and the likable Charles Grodin, can rescue nought from a pic whose one reasonable joke dies of loneliness.Also stars Judith Ivey and Dr. Joyce Brothers.Saturday, May 10, 1997 - Video