the reference in the title to mr. goodbar, refers, i believe, to the candy bar put out by hershey named "mr. goodbar." in the film, theresa sometimes steals these candy bars instead of paying for them, because, she says, wheres the fun it that? (meaning paying for them). it seems to me that this is the hook to the story of her life: a life of lies and religious repression. she doesn't want to be a "good" catholic schoolgirl, she's trying to break away, trying new things to figure out who she is during a time that was for many folks a confusing time, especially sexually (the scenes of homosexuality keep hammering away at that aspect, sometimes literally). the small act of looking for mr. goodbar, so she can steal it and be naughty (hahaha to her dreadful father, and by inference, her religiously repressive upbringing along with the terrible illness she suffered from in childhood)was an act of rebellion. unfortunately for theresa, she got caught.
that's my theory anyway. any help?
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joeann_21
19 years ago
Your theory sounds good, though I read the book and don't remember any reference to Theresa stealing Mr. Goodbars, is that part of your theory, as well. But what you mentioned overall was definitely covered very well in the theme of the movie.
I here LFMG now it is available at FYE stores, I think in VHS - so I am looking forward to getting a fresh copy of this very good movie.
It's funny when I first saw it I didn't like it much, as I thought it was a bit choppy on the plot.
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vpoholek
19 years ago
"It's funny when I first saw it I didn't like it much, as I thought it was a bit choppy on the plot."
Me, too. But it's like The Sixth Sense. You get to the end, and then everything makes sense, and seems different than when you just watched it.
Well worth the 2-3 hours. Great, scary movie. I'm going to show it to my daughter when she's older, so she can see the desperation and bad choices, and the ups and downs and chaos of bars.
BTW - I always thought the title meant the she was looking for Mr. Right, no, Mr. Right Now, no, Mr. Goodbar. Like she would take home the best guy in the bar that night...
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ejb45
19 years ago
SILLYWILLOUT: I F'n love it when someone hits it so on the head like that!
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mhrywna
19 years ago
She steals candy bars in the film? Are you sure that's not in the book? What scene in the movie is it? Who does she say that too?
I just watched this film, i thought was a good '70s style movie, and was trying to figure out what the title meant. I thought i remember reading somewhere that Mr. Goodbar was the name of a bar Diane Keaton's character frequented.
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margeliz
19 years ago
She steals candy bars in the film. When she finally accepted a kind of date with James, both enter her room with groceries bags. James tells her when he is unpacking the goods "I do not remember have payed for this candy bars". "I stole them", she says...or something like that. But the scene is that one.
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reel_emotion
15 years ago
There's one scene in the movie where she comes back to apartment after shopping with James. She pulls out a Hershey's chocolate bar, not a Mr. Goodbar, and James says that I don't remember you buying that, and Teresa says that you're right; I didn't. I remember this because it made me hungry for a plain Hershey's chocolate bar, and I had to go out and BUY one.
I've read Judith Rossner's novel several, several times, but several years ago, and I don't remember Mr. Goodbar referenced in there.
I think the most important aspect of the title is that she is looking for a man with a nice schlong.
Last Movies Watched: A Hard Day's Night 8; Waitress 7; No Country for Old Men 9
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