Drama
United States of America
Old Boyfriends is a 1979 drama film directed by Joan Tewkesbury and written by Paul Schrader. The film stars Talia Shire as Diane Cruise, a woman who has just gotten a divorce and decides to revisit her past relationships with three ex-boyfriends.
The first ex-boyfriend is John Belushi, who plays a sleazy, manipulative guy who lies about having slept with Diane in high school, causing her to be ostracized by her peers. She confronts him about the lie, and he insists it was true.
The second ex-boyfriend is Richard Jordan, who plays a sensitive, artistic type that Diane was very much in love with during college. They almost got married, but Diane became pregnant and had an abortion, causing their relationship to fall apart.
The third ex-boyfriend is Keith Carradine, who plays a wild and unstable guy who was the brother of Diane's first love. He takes her on a wild adventure through the wilds of Montana, but eventually reveals that he is still in love with his dead brother's wife.
Along the way, Diane is also dealing with her difficult relationship with her mother, played by Shelley Winters, who is a washed-up Hollywood actress. Through her meetings with her old flames, Diane learns more about herself and what she really wants out of life.
The film features strong performances by all of its actors, particularly Shire, who gives a nuanced and complex portrayal of a woman trying to piece together her shattered life. The soundtrack, featuring songs by Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, also adds to the film's emotional resonance.
