Happy Together (1989)

I shudder to think I rented this movie years and years ago when it first came out on video a couple years before I had the chance to see the film 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' (one of my all time romantic comedy faves!) for the first time. At that time (in my 20 year-old naivete) I summed up 'Happy Together' as cute and entertaining... not altogether a total waste of my time. Now, years later, having just caught it on late night cable for the second time ever, and AFTER experiencing 'Breakfast at Tiffany's,' I now realize how much of a blatant plot rip-off of that movie THIS movie is!Helen Slater's 'Alex' is sooooo the reincarnate of Audrey Hepburn's 'Holly Golightly,' but done in such an painfully cute-sy and over-acted way. Patrick Dempsey's 'Chris' is a far less sexy and less witty 'Paul Varjak.' Instead of the New York City setting, it's a college campus in L.A. (but throughout the film, the characters do allude to a desire to live in N.Y.C.). Instead of apartment building neighbors, they're dorm roommates. Alex is also an aspiring actress (like Holly) and Chris is even a writer (like Paul!). You also see Alex going out with all these unsuitable suitors while Chris pines for her just like in 'Tiffany's.' Alex even exclaims a couple times in the film, "You don't know ME!" which so resembles the tone of Holly's stubborn desire of "not wanting to be put in a cage," as Paul points out to her towards the end of the film. The female protagonists of both films are these "free spirits" who are actually terrified of leaving their "fishbowls" of existence.How important is this realization of similarities between these two films? Not very. But it least makes ME realize yet again (disgustedly) that way too many basic plot lines are recycled in Hollywood. That's all!So if you're in the mood for pure derivative fluff, 'Happy Together" is for you. Plus, Helen Slater's late 80's wardrobe is sure a hoot to behold...

It might not be a classic, it might not be realistic, but it is certainly entertaining. This is just a good, fun film that I just keep watching!Its a typical 80's teen college story, with stereotypical characters bursting from every seam. At times you cringe but unless you're looking for something deep and meaningful from the film or want to watch something "ground breaking" then just sit back and enjoy.

This was the midday movie today and I saw Patrick Dempsey's name and I thought "Oh no! Not another 80s teen flick starring Patrick Dempsey!" Then I saw Brad Pitt in the opening scenes and I thought I'd stick around. I'm glad I did because it was quite a sweet movie and well worth a look. Patrick was great, Slater was a bit over the top but that was what the character called for. All in all it was a nice movie that had a lot to say about love and relationships. It falters a little towards the end but overall I really liked it and might even consider seeing it again.

Have to be honest, it's not the best film I have ever seen, but the film does have it's moments. I have seen Helen Slater act better in other films than this and the storyline is totally unbelievable. The film is basically about a boy meets girls, girls helps boy do better in life, boy and girl get mad with each other etc you get the picture. Bottom line, if you have a couple hours to kill, go ahead and watch it