I love this movie so much

Good concept, poorly executed.

Absolutely Fantastic

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Isabelle, played by Amy Irving, is an attractive thirtysomething single woman without much depth or character. She has a job at a bookstore where she gets to meet some interesting authors, including a charming but slick Dutch author. And there is a guy she sleeps with occasionally (old boyfriend? neighbor? married?) Her grandmother, with the help of a matchmaker, tries to fix her up with Sam, played by Peter Riegert, a nice guy who sells pickles in her old neighborhood on the Lower East Side, a neighborhood she feels she has outgrown. We all know who she is drawn to, and who she will end up with. The movie of course puts the characters through hell before we reach the inevitable conclusion, but I gave it 5 stars because my wife and I talked about the movie for 45 minutes after it was done. It brought up a lot of issues, as I was 31 in 1988, when this movie was made, and I lived through the whole nice guy experience. Sam becomes more interesting as the movie progresses, displaying hidden depths- and making us wonder why he is drawn to such a shallow woman as Isabelle. Is it just because he likes her looks? He's better than that. There are some funny scenes, some good lines from Sam, her Grandmother (Bubbie) and the matchmaker- but the movie is about her journey, and Sam becomes just a prop, given the unlikely attraction. At least there is the contrast between the old Jewish ways of Bubbie and the matchmaker, and Isabelle's more modern sensibilities, to give it some redeeming social value. I didn't like the movie, would not recommend it, but it did lead to an interesting discussion and a rare IMDB review from me.

Minor quibble I know... But if Bubbie has such horrifying aches and pains that she can't even rub a spit of isopropyl alcohol on her knees that sounds pretty bad. However, you see her practically running with great strength down the streets and wait for it....the STEPS!!! Not even coming close to clutching a handrail and full of vigor. I guess those alcohol rubs work? At least if you want to make this old lady a super kvetcher (sp?) then add it to other aspects. She could handle her Snopps perdy dang well imho.I remember being fairly snobbish when looking for a mate but this potential match owned an artisanal market which is quite prestigious and those pseudo intellectuals were a complete bore. What was she thinking when Goober read his inane poetry to her, complete moron!I agree with most reviewers that Jewish folks were portrayed in a horrible light. The obnoxious matchmaker with her table manners and public belching were deplorable. The pickle man was divine comparatively.I did enjoy the NYC street scenes that are most likely way part of the past as well as the closeness of friends, neighbors, and family members. Most endearing was when Bubbie hands over FIVE HUNDIES to Izzy. That had to have hurt back then. Izzy goes and buys a gorgeous dress to impress versus invest, what kind of Jew is she????High recommend for those who want to see the Lower East Side back in the day and for fans of brisks (sp?) and nursing mothers. Otherwise it is slow, boring, lacking of smart dialogue. The ending might be sweet but not rewarding or surprising.

Isabelle Grossman (Amy Irving) is a 33 year old Jewish girl working at a New York bookstore. She is enamored with author Anton Maes (Jeroen Krabbé) who she meets at the bookstore party. She loves her life on the edge of the intellectual world. Her parents are in Florida. Her beloved Bubbie or grandmother gets local matchmaker Hannah Mandelbaum to set her up. She's introduced to Sam Posner (Peter Riegert) who owns a pickle shop. She's not interested at first and even tries to set him up with her friend Marilyn surreptitiously.This is the anti-single gal rom-com. Her single life is somewhat sad. The movie takes little digs like all the lonely looking women around the salad bar. Yet she's always proclaiming her love of her life. It's a rom-com that can cut a little too close. Amy Irving is very lovely and loving. Peter Riegert has the sincerity but needs a bit more charm. There are some funny moments and some very poignant ones. The ending is a bit too abrupt as if the movie ran out of film. This movie has a point of view and has a compelling romance.

I bought this movie waaaay back when it first came out on video. Sometimes I'll go for months and months without watching it, but when I do, I always enjoys it. It's fun look back to the late 80's.The only problem I have with this flick is Sam. He needs a major makeover! Yes, I know that he is down-to-earth, real, sensible, confident guy, but a decent haircut and a pair of 501 Levi jeans would do wonders for him! His wardrobe looks like it was plucked from the bargin bin at Salvation Army. Loose those ugly, baggy utility pants and put on a pair of jeans, please, lol! Izzy's wardrobe is pretty bad, too. Dull, drab colors. Fortunately, her clothes get better as the movie progresses. Her hair looks like it's taking over the planet, not her co-worker's (Chilchilea Monk,) lol!