User reviews

I know, this is just a small movie, but one that I'm able to see again and again, mainly because of little things as the bright blue sky upon Mia Farrow eating an apple or the original egg-cups in Dustin Hoffman's kitchen. It's difficult to explain but I love every moment of this movie without a strong reason: this is to me as an old family photo, not perfect, but still so dear... Then: good actors, original script, with refreshing ironic touches, and really beautiful set.

"It's Not Your Mother's Love Story," the ads for "John and Mary" proclaimed, and I suppose that back in 1969, such indeed was the case. Telling the story of a one-night stand and the rainy day after, as the couple in question gets to know one another in the guy's spacious apartment at 52 Riverside Drive (in actuality, a 15-floor, redbrick building at 78th St. whose asking price today must be astronomical!), the film certainly must have engendered some controversy, back when. Fortunately, this sweet, realistic, adult slice of life, though certainly a product of its time, is not as dated as one might expect, and the tentative, uncertain steps that John and Mary (whose names we never know until the picture's final moments) take when learning about each other should seem familiar to even Gen Y'ers. This process of discovery is accomplished mainly through talk, but the viewer gets to know the two characters even better, via flashbacks, fantasy sequences and their voiced-over thoughts. In the leads, Dustin Hoffman and Mia Farrow are quite fine, and director Peter Yates brings his picture in with great sensitivity. The trio had recently participated in three enormously successful films--"The Graduate," "Rosemary's Baby" and "Bullitt," respectively--and while "John and Mary" is certainly a smaller film than those others, it is still of great interest. Hoffman and Farrow were immensely ingratiating screen presences at this early stage of their careers, and their unique pairing here makes this film something special. And speaking of early-career performances, "John and Mary" also features Tyne Daly, Cleavon Little and Olympia Dukakis, all in small but amusing parts. Anyway, it is my feeling that viewers of this film will gradually come to really like John and Mary, and root for them as a couple, and wish them many more nights together....

and one night stands in NYC. Not the most original, or flattering, either. Which is perhaps where the film and theme deserves credit.

Farrow is understated, Dustin Hoffmman his usual self (think Kramer vs Kramer) However for the subject matter, the film does succeed on several levels.

Farrow remembers her pointless affair with a politician (Michael Tolan) who often played these roles. Hoffman was in a previous relationship with Sunny Griffin (a has-been model) who takes him for granted.

Overalll a time piece which shows some shallowness, awkwardness, and the hopes of those, still attempting relationships. The human factor is what redeems the story. 8/10.

Remember the days when we were all having free sex and enjoining our elders to make love-not war? Well, if you long for those days or would just like to see what they were like, a good way to telescope back to `those thrilling days of yesteryear' would be to watch John and Mary.

This wonderful little gem from the height of the Sexual Revolution era is about young people trying to connect after the sex part is done.

The story begins on the morning after the night before when two strangers awake together in bed. A delightful, youthful Mia Farrow is compelling, bright, sexy and very appealing as Mary. Dustin Hoffman as John is excellent. The story unfolds as the two young characters struggle toward mutual understanding and respect. As they do, I could easily imagine myself among a theater audience in 1969 all rooting for them to succeed.

The script is intelligent and the flashbacks very effective and interesting.

If you like a mature story emphasizing superb character development with fully-realized, appealing characters, this is for you. I give it four stars-my highest rating! But don't try to get this on video or DVD because as far as I know they are not available. You have to wait for it to be shown on cable or at your local art house theater.

A single man and woman (Dustin Hoffman as John, Mia Farrow as Mary), having met in a bar the night before, wake up in bed "the morning after"; they go back and forth on where they should take their 'relationship'. The two charismatic leads try to enlighten a curiously flat screenplay from John Mortimer, adapting the novel by Mervyn Jones, and an uncharacteristically low-keyed direction from Peter Yates. It isn't easy: the sluggish narrative (often flashing back in time) and sterile atmosphere make it practically impossible. Still, Yates' work is fluid, with flights-of-fancy to help fill in the gaps, and the stars look just beautiful in their prime. Farrow's Mary is all over the place: guarded and vague (and a little rude), she then turns sheepish and huggable; Hoffman's John is suspicious and cynical, but yielding. Some of their thoughts and emotions ring true--and if finale is pure fantasy, at least it is well done and satisfying, breaking us out of the rut of fashionable cynicism that most of "John and Mary" occupies. **1/2 from ****

Dustin Hoffman was one role post his Oscar nominated Midnight Cowboy and Mia Farrow was one role away from her groundbreaking Rosemary's Baby when they were teamed for John And Mary. It's a film typical of the times, hook up first and then get to know each other.

Mia's already got an involvement with a public official played by Michael Tolan who takes off on surreptitious rendezvous only to pack her off when word of the wife or any and all of his 6 kids are around. As for Hoffman he's got a cornucopia of issues most of them centering around his mother played here by Olympia Dukakis.

John And Mary is chronicling the Sixties sexual revolution and at least what we see of Hoffman and Farrow's characters they would certainly be recognized by today's audience. Of course there weren't a lot of sexually transmitted diseases then, when they burst on the scene that made a lot of people act more prudently than John And Mary seem to.

I never really got into the characters in this film. Still it's a good time snapshot of New York on the cusp of the Seventies.

I saw this film when it opened in 1969. My memory may be clouded by the past, but I remember enjoying the teaming of Mia Farrow and Dustin Hoffman very much.

Both actors are very good in this movie. It's a small intimate two character story and depicts the "one-night" stand morals that were just beginning to take hold.

The conceit is they don't ask each other's name until the end.

Mia had just completed "Rosemary's Baby" and Dustin had "The Graduate." They were young and especially successful as actors.

I highly recommend it, if you can find it.

Mia Farrow still had the Vidal Sassoon hairstyle from the Rosemary's Baby in this film production. She played Mary, a single New Yorker who lived in Turtle Bay section of New York City. She meets John played by Dustin Hoffman. They have one night together after meeting in a New York singles bar. When they wake up the next morning, they have a lot to learn about each other. Neither John nor Mary are baggage free. The New York City locations add to the film's scenic appeal. The performances from Farrow and Hoffman are believable and genuine. The relationship between these two characters are realistic and believable. Too bad, we didn't see more of Olympia Dukakis, Marian Mercer, Tyne Daly, and Alix Elias in the film. This film is a character study of an unlikely couple.

Mia Farrow and Dustin Hoffman play a young couple who have had a one-night stand. The entire movie takes place during the dreaded and infamous "morning after", but many scenes are shown in flashback. While I usually criticize movies that rely on a nonlinear storyline and flashbacks, John Mortimer's script made some very interesting choices. While Mia and Dustin talk over breakfast, the conversation triggers a memory in one of them and cues a flashback. Some might find this disjointed, but others might see the realism in it. Words trigger memories, and before we know it, we're lost in another thought while real life continues.

I didn't end up liking John and Mary; in fact, I found it pretty unpleasant. Both characters, in the awkward light of day, struggle to get to know each other, and often speak internally as a reaction to what they're learning. Since I'm a girl, I'm a little biased to be on Mia Farrow's side. Dustin Hoffman's internal monologues show that he isn't a nice person. He judges her, assumes her behavior, regrets her affection, and is disappointed when she doesn't immediately leave. Why is it entertaining to watch Mia try and get to know someone like that?

This is an all but forgotten little gem by Peter (Bullit) Yates, who uses a sensitive and witty script by the excellent John Mortimer.

The direction, acting, and general tone are near perfect. Alas it was probably super cool for a year or two after it's release and nothing dates like 1960s high fashion.

You may catch it on a late night TV channel - if so, postpone your bedtime for 90 minutes or so and enjoy!

Last thought - This film may have been the source for Woody Allen's famous and celebrated "subtitles" scene in Annie Hall, made several years later with Mia Farrow.

Fresh off The Graduate, Midnight Cowboy and Rosemary's Baby, Dustin Hoffman and Mia Farrow were big stars, when this movie came out in 1969.

It is also far removed from those above-mentioned movies.

A sweet little romantic dramady, mostly taking place in an apartment, where the two stars do shine.

One big problem is the voice-over. Irritating and unnecessary - and therefore it only just sneaks to a 7 on the IMDB 10 scale.

Creepy film takes place in a vacuum. Though there are location shots of late 60s NYC, the atmosphere feels like the NYC of I Am Legend. Hot off of Rosemary's Baby and The Graduate, Mia Farrow and Dustin Hoffman play 2 characters who have nothing to offer each other or the audience and who seem to take forever to do whatever it is they do. Does anyone want these 2 to get together? Pete Yates directed this weird yawner complete with dull performances, zero pacing and pointless flashbacks and a script with less meat on its bones than the film's leading lady. Advertised as a love story, John and Mary with its endless, tedious, narcissistic self-analysis feels more like David and Lisa.

This is a simple, charming movie about two people with "baggage" from past relationships who happen to find each other (and in the process, the possibility of true love and contentment) amid the insanity of NY and a frenetic existence. Both lead actors are charming - particularly Mia Farrow - who has a waifish, far-away look in her eyes. My favorite part of the movie was when "Mary" left "John's" apartment and he realized she didn't leave a number, so frantically searched the city for her.

Boy and girl meet. They go to his apartment, do the naughty and then play with each other's neurotic wits. Wonderfully underplayed by the cast. A cute simple story with interesting editing, photography, art direction, music and even directing.

This is a fine little movie. It is a great commentary at the way young singles acted out their lives at the start of the anything-goes ME era. It's worth watching just to hear Mia say that line about breakfast. I remember at the time it was released that Dustin Hoffman was a bit unconvincing as a swinging single, since it had only been about 3 years since Mrs. Robinson seduced him after he spent the afternoon floating around the family pool. When you watch "John and Mary", enjoy the great on-location filming, and keep a sharp lookout for when the two title characters actually introduce themselves by name to each other, lest you miss this touching moment.

It had everything going for it, the hottest young stars of the late sixties, Dustin Hoffman and Mia Farrow, fresh from the successes of the Graduate and Rosemary's Baby. The director had just made the huge hit Bullit and the hopes were very high, the two stars were on the cover of Time magazine!

It was set in swinging New York, nice photography, cool apartments and clothes, it had to be a hit, right?

What went wrong?????? The script, I suppose. They hadn't considered that it had to say something. Instead we are treated to lots of meaningful looks from the leads. Though, they are good looking....

Is it a comedy? Hard to tell, funny it wasn't. In fact it's dullsville! Quite embarrassing at times.

It seems under-rehearsed, as if the actors had only read the script once. Mia Farrow is too mannered doing her little-old-lady-in-a-girls-body routine. Surprisingly Dustin doesn't overact.

This film disappeared from sight. Ms. Farrow hardly mentions it in her biography. Does anyone remember it?

This is a low-key, easy going and wonderfully realistic movie, about how people react to one another when they are trying to begin a relationship out of nothing. John and Mary meet each other, have sex and wake up knowing next to nothing about each other. Mary has her history of relationships where she wasn't valued and John has history with feeling abandoned and used.

We follow them throughout their day, hear and see their thoughts and begin to understand why they say and do, the things they do in regards to each other.

Their cognitive distortions are apparent and made entertaining by the movies style and humor.

This movie is under-rated and possibly misunderstood. If you are looking for a ridiculous, meaningless, romantic comedy, full of pop songs and cliched plot twists, you'll have to look elsewhere. But if you are looking for a laid-back, emotional piece of life, then this movie will be one to see.

9 out of 10.

Oh where are the snows of yesteryear...

This is Peter Yates's tribute to the spirit of films by Truffaut, Godard and Rohmer. With Mia Farrow as Anna Karina and Dustin Hoffman as Jean-Pierre Léaud.

A movie that radiates a wonderful atmosphere, at least for those who like feeling with the hearts and thinking in the minds of lovers - and sometimes denigrate their feelings and then regret what they denigrated and then denigrate it again...

But it's an American love story all the same. With American actors who do not try to imitate their French role models. Mia Farrow is Mia Woodhouse from "Rosemary's Baby" and Dustin Hoffman is Ben Braddock from "The Graduate".

This movie doesn't need a plot and in fact it hasn't got one. So, for once, the flashbacks and the interior monologues thrown into the dialogues and the inserts from thoughts and dreams and memories, all of these cinematic devices that are designed to keep the viewer interested and mostly just confuse him, here they contribute to the movie's ambiance.

You should watch it with your lover by your side.

It's bad enough Mia Farrow was snubbed by the Academy for Rosemary's Baby, but she should have won an Oscar for her performance in this. Dustin Hoffman is in full "Graduate" and "Midnight Cowboy" form but this is clearly Mia's movie. This film is an absolute gem! Peter Yates pulled off another great film and one which would never be made today - it's too character driven and nuanced - not enough happens - for Hollywood today. But oh, so much happens between the lines. There are voice-overs of Dustin and Mia's character's thoughts - which totally work - but because of the quality of the their performances, could easily have been eliminated.

We have become a bit jaded with our access to movies these days. There was a time when I would get home from work really late and just turn on the late show. It didn't matter if I had heard of the movie being shown. I started watching this at 11:00 p.m. and knew I had to get up early. But I was hooked. I had seen Hoffman in "The Graduate" and was intrigued by Mia Farrow. This is such a gentle story, a slice of life. It was so real the way they acted on impulse and then began questioning their judgment. What is really interesting is that there was never anything sleazy or smug about the presentation. The actors are superb and handled it delicately, exposing fears and fragility. Take a chance and get this from Amazon or Netflix. You won't be sorry.

I don't agree with Leonard Maltin's review about the slow pace of the movie. This is deliberate, and a sign of the times and the characters' situation. For those of you who are interested in Marantz trivia, in this movie, John (Dustin Hoffman) has an exclusive vintage Marantz HiFi setup. In view at times will be the Marantz 19 receiver and also the very unusual Marantz tangential record player... Unfortunately, the movie is not yet available on video!?