The Heartbreak Kid (1972 film)

The Heartbreak Kid
Theatrical release poster
Directed byElaine May
Screenplay byNeil Simon
Based on"A Change of Plan"
by Bruce Jay Friedman
Produced byEdgar J. Scherick
StarringCharles Grodin
Cybill Shepherd
Jeannie Berlin
Audra Lindley
Eddie Albert
CinematographyOwen Roizman
Edited byJohn Carter
Music byGarry Sherman
Production
company
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • December 17, 1972 (1972-12-17)
Running time
106 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$5.6 million (US rentals)

The Heartbreak Kid is a 1972 American romantic black comedy film directed by Elaine May and written by Neil Simon, starring Charles Grodin, Cybill Shepherd, Jeannie Berlin, Audra Lindley, Eddie Albert and Doris Roberts. It is based on the short story "A Change of Plan", written by Bruce Jay Friedman and first published in Esquire in 1966.

In the film, self-absorbed salesman Lenny Cantrow (Grodin) marries his girlfriend Lila Kolodny (Berlin) after a short courtship. During his honeymoon, Lenny increasingly tires of Lila, finding that her earlier habits during courtship now irritate and repel him. Before the end of the honeymoon the salesman falls for college-aged heiress Kelly Corcoran (Shepherd) and impulsively courts her against her father Duane's (Albert) wishes.

The film garnered positive reviews upon its release. At the 45th Academy Awards, Berlin was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, and Albert for Best Supporting Actor. The Heartbreak Kid was ranked number 91 on AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs, a list of the funniest American films ever made. A remake was made in 2007.