Girlfriends (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

I had been waiting for years for somebody to do a good restoration of Claudia Weill's low-budget 16mm independent classic from the '70s. It is a lovely, understated, refreshingly honest film, confidently written and directed, with superb acting all around. Look for standout performances from Melanie Mayron, who plays a struggling young photographer in New York City, the great Eli Walllach who plays the rabbi with whom she has an affair, and young Bob Balaban and Christopher Guest. Prior to Criterion's edition, the only option was a messy-looking transfer that Warner Bros. put zero money into (do not buy that edition; I made the mistake of doing so a few months before the Criterion restoration came out). The tender affair between Mayron and Wallach is treated with a nuance that was truthful to the period, as opposed to the way in which such a relationship would probably be portrayed in the current me-too era. As well, the depiction of the unglamorous life of a struggling young photographer in New York City is one of the more resonant I have seen; it's no wonder that old Kubrick thought so highly of this film.

Saw this for the first time last night. My wife and I both were pleased by the excellent acting and direction, and thoroughly enjoyed this easy-to-watch film. The story and relationships are completely believable and naturalistically portrayed, although I do not need plot to be realistic or logic to be sound in films. "Girlfriends" treats us to an authentic portrayal of New York largely through generous documentation of SoHo in the 70s instead of the usual devotion to Times Square and the area around Central Park. The included short film "Commuters" also was very good and we enjoyed the smart cast&crew interview with Melanie Mayron, Christopher Guest, Bob Balaban, and the Director. Young Christopher Guest is fun to watch in the film.

Sorry, I cannot share these glowing reviews. (?) I kept waiting for something to happen? I honestly thought it was sad and even boring. I kept checking the time line to see how much longer I had to watch before it was over. (I know I could have just stopped watching, but I kept hoping for something to change my mind).

I loved this movie when it came out in 1978. The movie shows Melanie Myron struggling with living alone without her best friend. A coming of age film that shows a 20 something young women working on her career and friendships.

I saw this as a kid and never forgot it. It certainly wasn't the sort of movie I usually watched, but it made a bit impression on me. It's not a comedy, not a romance, not a 'feel good' movie... but no one dies so it's not a real tearjerker. It's just an honest portrayal of two friends and the course of that friendship.It might be one of the first movie I saw that wasn't about gangsters, spies, spaceships or monsters. You'd think I would have been bored, but for whatever reason I sat through it and was introduced to 'serious cinema'. Hah!Not being pretentious, I just enjoy this movie.

Wonderful character study of a young woman alone for the first time, after her roomate gets married. Miss Mayron is a fabulous actress with alot of heart....I tried to rent this movie for over a year, but could never find it ....so finally bought it. I was not disapointed.....Melanie Mayron's performance stays with you...A simple story of a woman in New York and her journey through life.....making choices for the first time on her own...a beauitful story, a wonderful and honest actress...I love it....a bit dated....but Melanie shines all the way.....

Such a good movie. 1970's vibe throughout.A young photographer (Melanie Mayron), Plays Susan & her girlfriend is Anne (Anita Skinner), who marries Martin (Bob Balaban), while Susan (Melanie Mayron) fails to find a deeper connection with Eric (Christopher Guest), while flirting with a very married Rabbi (Eli Wallach), who is getting her bar mitzvah photography gigs. She is drifting apart from her friend Anne, because she is trying so hard to have a photography career, while Anne chose marriage & motherhood.Fun to see these stars so young. Remember Christopher Guest from The Princess Bride? LoL the 6-fingered man...Melanie Mayron is electric. Wow!

Why is the damn case broken? I have to buy an empty Blu-ray case online as a result. Thankfully, disc is unaffected.

I am an undying fan of thirtysomething and Melissa (Melanie Mayron) was easily my favorite character on the show (she played a struggling photographer, talented but unable to fight for herself, go figure). So when I discovered this BluRay, I had to have it. What a letdown. Melanie Mayron is sweet and endearing as ever but the lame, lame, lame dialogue and the positively somnambulistic direction made the film nearly unwatchable.I can see the point of having realistic dialogue (improvised?) instead of classic razor-sharp repartee but this was just way too understated. If you compare it to thirtysomething's sophisticated dialogue, storyline and performance, it's even more painful to watch, especially Anita Skinner's performance as Anne. I've never seen such a talent-free actor.Yes, I understand that this film was something new for its time and felt revolutionary back then. Maybe so - but I guess you had to be there in order to re-live the feeling today. This film is strictly only for those who saw it when it first came out and want to revel in sweet memories. Anyone else: Stay away!