Modern Romance takes place in 1981, but the film lives up to its name: its take on loneliness, romantic despair, and our collective confusion over what constitutes real love continues to be relevant in this age of casual hookups and situationship (or whatever the kids are calling it these days). Bobby (played by Brooks, who is also the film’s writer and director) is not supposed to be likable, and yet he puts up a mirror to those of us who’ve done cruel things to dig ourselves out of the embarrassment and pain of being on our own. Though the film is more talk than plot, it’s thoroughly engaging thanks to its smart script. It’s also often funny, especially when it follows Bobby’s life as a frustrated film editor. Creatively down at work, Bobby tries to control his love life—but how he succeeds and fails is what makes the film so everlasting.
A film editor breaks up with his girlfriend, unsure if he is in love.
After breaking up for the nth time, Bobby (Albert Brooks) and Mary (Kathryn Harold) are determined to make their relationship work, but Bobby’s increasing jealousy gets in the way of their progress.
Anyone who’s witnessed (or worse, been in) an on-again off-again relationship will groan at how annoying relatable Mary and Bobby’s relationship is.
Albert Brooks deserves the love and fame Woody Allen enjoyed back in the day.
