Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977)

The conventional wisdom says that women prefer their movies to be wrapped in a gauze of sentiment and be replete with requited romance which makes Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) one of the least likely chick flicks of all time. However, nary a film-going femme of the 1970s vintage will leave this saga of sexual exploration and premature expiration off her list of influential, life-affirming skinema. Shot for a mere $2.5 million, the box office and critical hit took in $22.5 million in ticket sales and nabbed Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress (Tuesday Weld) and Best Cinematography (William A. Fraker). It also made a star out of Richard Gere. At the center of the story is Theresa Dunn, gropingly and gaspingly portrayed by a Woody Allen-free Diane Keaton. Although she took home an Oscar the same year for her titular turn as Annie Hall (1977), Diane didn’t bare her boobs and booty in that movie like she does 11 minutes into this pic. Ms. Keaton continues to expose her chest (at the 00:31:00-, 01:04:00-, 01:17:00-, 01:31:00-, and 02:02:00-minute marks) while her character dates a litany of loser Lotharios: the nice guy schmuck who dotes on her but fails to thrill her; the snarly sadist who rings her chimes but chills her soul; and the conflicted bisexual who takes his confusion out on her, with fatal effect. If she hasn’t seen it yet, treat your woman to a viewing of Looking for Mr. Goodbar. You’re bound to look good by comparison!