Lonelyhearts

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Tomatometer
Not Yet Available

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: N/A

51%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 341

Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
Super Reviewer
Step 2 of 2

How did you get your ticket?
By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)
How did you get your ticket?
- Fandango
- AMC (Coming Soon)
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Cinemark (Coming Soon)
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Regal (Coming Soon)
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Bought somewhere else
By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.
You haven’t finished your review yet, want to submit as-is?

You can always edit your review after.
Are you sure?

Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers.
Want to submit changes to your review before closing?

Lonelyhearts Photos

View All Photos (1)

Movie Info

For his film directorial debut, producer Dore Schary selected a longtime pet property: Miss Lonelyhearts, Nathaniel West's trenchant 1933 novel. Montgomery Clift delivers a haunting performance as journalist Adam White, assigned by his cynical editor Adam Shrike (Robert Ryan) to take over a newspaper advice column. Signing himself Miss Lonelyhearts, White is appalled by the human misery pouring out of the letters sent to him (one of his correspndents was born without a nose), but Shrike insists that anyone who'd write to such a column is fake. To find out for himself, White looks up one of the correspondents, unhappily married Fay Doyle (Oscar-nominated Maureen Stapleton). His pity for the seriously disturbed Fay nearly leads to tragedy (in the novel, there's no "nearly"). Meanwhile, Shrike tries to contend with his own tottering marriage to his wife Florence (Myrna Loy). In additional to shortening the title to Lonelyhearts, Dore Schary made a number of radical changes in the original, adding an overabundance of "meaningful" dialogue and softening the character of Florence Shrike. Purists were enraged by Schary's liberties, while critics carped at his perfunctory direction; audiences, however, seemed to like the film.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Classics, Drama
Directed By:

Vincent J. Donahue
Written By:

Dore Schary
In Theaters:

Jan 1, 1958 wide
Runtime:

101 minutes
Studio:

United Artists

Cast

Montgomery Clift
as Adam White

Robert Ryan
as William Shrike

Myrna Loy
as Florence Shrike

Dolores Hart
as Justy Sargent

Maureen Stapleton
as Fay Doyle

Frank Maxwell
as Pat Doyle

Jackie Coogan
as Ned Gates

Mike Kellin
as Frank Goldsmith

Frank Overton
as Mr. Sargent

Don Washbrook
as Don Sargent

John Washbrook
as Johnny Sargent

Onslow Stevens
as Mr. Lassiter

Mary Alan Hokanson
as Edna

John Gallaudet
as Bartender

Lee Zimmer
as Jerry

J.B. Welch
as Charlie

Charles Wagenheim
as Bartender

Frank Richards
as Taxi Driver

Dorothy Neumann
as Mrs. Cannon

View All

Critic Reviews for Lonelyhearts

All Critics (4) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (1)

It's gripping if a little repetitive.

May 8, 2012 | Full Review…

Time Out
Top Critic
Consistently fine performances by an exceptionally well-balanced cast give further cause for regarding this endeavor with appreciation and respect.

May 8, 2012 | Full Review…

Bosley Crowther
New York Times
Top Critic
Dore Schary's earnest but ponderous attempt to film a sad novel by Nathanael West...the ending is unconvincing...

November 11, 2019 | Full Review…

Clyde Gilmour
Maclean's Magazine
Here (West's) powerful novella about the lovelorn is brilliantly enacted, tautly directed, and scripted as faithfully as producer Schary's compassion for the public would allow.

May 8, 2012 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

TV Guide

View All Critic Reviews (4)

Audience Reviews for Lonelyhearts

Jul 13, 2008

Great cast but a sad film, worth viewing though.

jay n Super Reviewer
Jul 16, 2007

You can tell Lonelyhearts was based off a play because the whole time you feel like you're watching a bootleg of a play with better camerawork. Speaking of which, I really liked the way this movie was photographed. Montgomery Clift was way too sensitive, Robert Ryan was too much of an asshole (and I love a good movie asshole) and watching the grossly underused Myrna Loy was almost painful as she portrayed a tired, beaten-down by life character. It's very easy to see why Lonelyhearts is overlooked but that's not to say you shouldn't check it out if you get the chance. I recommend drinking hard liquor while viewing...

Michael G Super Reviewer