Just Me and You

One of those, "Why was this made?" movies. The romance is very hard to swallow. It is one of those romances, that, suddenly, "click" - they are in love. The movie is filled with long pauses and uncomfortable moments - the drive-in restaurant being the most notable. Charles Grodin does a credible job but for most of the movie it's just him and Louise Lasser. Ask yourself, do you want to watch Grodin with his neurosis and Lasser with her neurosis together for a hour and half?

A guy needs to make a car trip from New York to Los Angeles in four days, and advertises in the paper for someone to share the driving. A very talkative but attractive young woman answers the ad, and convinces him to take her along. The movie consists of the comedic interactions on their trip that gradually transform their relationship from one in which he is immediately sorry he brought her along, to the inevitable realization that they are in love, not with those they presumably drove across America to see, but with each other.

The two main characters complemented each other perfectly - he the level headed guy, she the dizzy dame he finally falls for. The dialogue, written by Louise Lasser, was fall-down funny. A certain ability to suspend reality is necessary to get into the spirit of the movie, but for those who can, it is a trip you will remember for a long time.

While many people are bored of this movie, one can still enjoy it. Yes, the plot is told easily: a man and a woman who have never met before drive together through the USA in order save money. That's all. But then, the actors are just great, especially Louise Lasser playing a naive, insecure woman. When I watched this for the first time, it was not very special to me, but when I recently watched this movie again, I continuously laughed about their dialogs and experiences. My favorite scene is in the motel, where they stay over night in the 'wedding suite' (the most expensive room there, even though it's the only one): the clerk says something like "maybe you are hungry?" "yes" "OK then, good night!" This movie is worth watching if one is patient. Otherwise, better switch to a different channel. My vote: 9/10

The comic timing in this movie is classic. Only Grodin and Lasser could make this film work. It is funny, and sensitive, and the script is wonderful.

I have a very bad copy - that was probably a bootleg from abroad.

I would love to buy this movie - if anyone has any suggestions.

This has been a huge favorite in our family for years. I remember seeing it premiere on NBC back in '78.

Charles Grodin is the perfect straight man to Louise Lasser's "Crazy Jane" character. These two are complete opposites, but such couples do exist, and in real life they do fall in love, such as the ending to the story. There are several fine moments in the film, but my absolute favorite is the "Drive-thru" scene. This is where Lasser takes over the driving on this cross-country trip, and with Grodin in the passenger seat, decide to get some fast food by going to a Jim Dandy drive-thru. I knew back in '78 when I first saw it that this was a classic moment in TV history, as Lasser, whose character has never order at a "drive-thru" before, asks "Do you have anything diet?"

There isn't any one hysterical moment in the film, but throughout there are some real rib ticklers. Like when Lasser and Grodin have just had a fight, and with Lasser in the back seat with her arms crossed, a radio program is heard in which a super low voiced transexual discusses "her" new dress with a Peter Pan collar. Lasser's giggles are infectious, and soon the two ma ke up. Another highlight is when Lasser and Grodin order breakfast at a Denny's type restaurant, and Jane keeps changing her order with the waitress (Julia Bovasso). Very funny stuff.

Obviously this movie isn't for everyone, but it's a classic amongst its followers.