Bye Bye Love (1995) User Reviews (52)

Not just about divorce, but about fathers.....

[marksa · 7/10 · 20 June 2001]

Call me easily amused, but I think this is a movie more likely to be accepted by those who can relate, having had similar experiences - both hilarious and heartwrenching.

The three main characters are divorced dads, each with their own trials in dealing with the ex-spouses and their teenage and young children. My favorite is Randy Quaid, although he is the most bitter. The scene with "Our House" cracks me up everytime I see it; "Go Red Sox" and of course, "The Date." Matthew Modine portrays the ever insatiable Playboy; he, his kids and his Ex, Amy Brenneman, all have some great lines. And last, the longingly in denial and reluctantly divorced Dad, Paul Reiser, aka the "BIRTH FATHER."

*SEMI-SPOILER* In response to a comment posted by Sherlock regarding the "Mickey D's worker and the old guy sub-plot," the old guy is a father with his grown children far away and the young guy has no father in his life; basically, they are both lonely and forgotten people who find their mutual needs help each other remedy their unhappy situations.

Definitely a feel good movie, see it for Randy Quaid, if nothing else.

Single fathers and their hang ups.

[DukeEman · 7/10 · 7 February 2003]

A look at modern day divorced American single fathers and their attachment to McDonalds! It has some sincere and funny moments that make it worth the while but as always, when Hollywood gets to close to the truth, it turns to a TV soap style of resolution.

Divorce American style

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 10 April 2006]

Divorce is a pervasive fact of life in our society. The three men at the center of the story, Vic, Donny, and Dave, have recently been divorced. It appears that all three have gone through friendly separations, as in all three cases, children are involved. Since the kids are under the mother's custody, the fathers have the right to get them for week-end visits.

All three friends seem somewhat adjusted to their new realities. Vic, looks as the most grounded man of the trio. Donny, is the saddest case, and Dave, who is a wishy washy man, is trying his hand at a new relationship with a much younger woman. The wives, on the other hand, have moved on with their lives. The three women appear to have no problems with their new status.

The exchange of children occurs in a suburban McDonald's, a neutral territory. This is a type of "brand placing" that Hollywood films love to show. Fast food, alas, stands for an allegory of what's missing with most marriages these days when most families don't even share a meal together. There is also the talk radio personality who is in the air taking calls from divorced people and advising them what to do, yet, he doesn't even have a clue about what he is talking about; after all, he's been married five times!

The acting is adequate. The best thing in the film is Randy Quaid, who as Vic, makes the most of his role. Janeane Garofalo appears as a date from hell, in a funny sequence. The ensemble cast does fine work under Sam Weisman's direction.

The sad fact of this story is that all these children, we see in the film, will probably go through divorces in their own lives.

Underrated THIS MOVIE IS A GEM!

[mojo2004 · 19 September 2004]

I loved this movie from the start and I still love it.Fifty times no make that 100 times beter than "Parenthood" it had good actors that matched their character's personalities to me.I'm a huge fan of Mathew Modine but the two best actors were Randy Quaid and Janeane Garofalo.Both were adorable and funny.All the kids were good too and kudos to Paul Rieser for a heartwarming performance with screen daughter Eliza Dushku.One bad thing-the pairing of the best friend with his buddy's ex-wife.Bull! They didn't have to go there.I bought this movie and I can watch it everyday.Funny,sweet, and I'm sure all families of divorce wish it was as easy as the movie made it.

9/10 stars

Well done

[headfulofghosts126 · 7/10 · 1 September 2002]

This is a very enjoyable little movie and after seven years and numerous viewings, I still watch it every time it's on TV. Of all the movies I've seen dealing with divorce and broken homes this one comes the closest to portraying what it was like (at least for me and my family). Best of all, it's not a depressing downer of a movie. It's fun to watch and emotional at the same time. The most effective part of the film for me was the relationship between Paul Reiser and his daughter since it reminded me so much of my dad and sister. All of the actors are extremely well chosen (minus the very bland Mathew Modine). It handles the topic of divorce responsibly and doesn't load on the melodramatics. For anyone who's gone through a divorce and wondered "Now what?", or a child of divorce... you should get a lot of this movie. I really, really liked it.

Talk Radio

[sol- · 6/10 · 9 January 2017]

Life is not easy for three divorced fathers who meet every weekend at a fast food diner to collect their kids from their exes in this mix of comedy and drama starring Matthew Modine, Randy Quaid and Paul Reiser. Each provides a heartfelt performance and Rob Reiner is also solid as a 'radio shrink' whose intermittent broadcasts seem to taunt the trio as he laments the state of marriage today and constantly sides with the wives when discussing divorce. For all the angst that the film builds up - suggesting that fathers always lose out in the divorce process - the comedy treatment dulls any axe that the film has to grind. Janeane Garofalo has the funniest scene of the film as an awful first date whose rampant feminism amusingly gets in the way of all conversation (and dining), however, her scenes are far removed from the divorce woes at the heart of the film. The film indeed works best when it is not trying to be funny with a memorable scene early on in which one father gets very annoyed at his ex-wife spending her alimony payments on her car rather than the kids. Another great scene has one of the men staring out of the window at his ex-wife's lazy new lover, sunbathing with sunglasses on, moping around and doing nothing. The sense of indignation in this segment is quite heartfelt ("how could she prefer him to me?") without the need for a single word to be uttered. As mentioned though, the movie is mostly comedy and never an especially engaging one at that. The film's heart is certainly in the right place, but a slight change of tone could have done wonders here.

Although Sometimes Boring or Mushy, This Irregular Comedy Entertains

[claudio_carvalho · 6/10 · 9 September 2003]

Dave Goldman (Matthew Modine), Vic Damico (Randy Quaid) and Donny Carlson (Paul Reiser) are best friends and divorced of Susan (Amy Brenneman), Grace (Lindsay Crouse) and Claire (Jayne Brook) respectively. They have sons and daughters, who live with their ex-wives and share part of the time with them. This dramatic comedy intends to show, mostly in a comic way, their relationship with new mates and their former families, especially with sons and daughters. Parts of this movie are very funny and great: when, for example, Donny says to Dave that his teenager daughter is in the age when girls become problematic and complicated and Dave asks: `-Which age is that?' Donny responds: `-From twelve to thirty-five (years old)', I really laughed a lot! But other parts do not work well and are boring, such as the dinner between Vic and Lucille (Janeane Garofalo) or mushy, such as the final dialog between Donny and his teenager daughter. Probably the fast food chain Mc Donald is sponsoring this movie, since its advertisement is a shame! Although forgettable, this film entertains. My vote is six.

Brats R Us

[Vibiana · 1/10 · 30 June 2006]

Janeane Garafalo and Randy Quaid are the only bright spots in this flick. Ed Flanders (in his last role) has some good moments, but is basically wasted.

It was hard to feel much empathy for the "victimized" children of divorce here. "Ben," the screen son of Matthew Modine's character, needed his butt torn off and his mouth nailed shut in my opinion. And "Emma," the screen daughter of Paul Reiser's character, was nothing but a spoiled, miserable brat. She could have used a trip on the clue bus to the land of reality.

Randy Quaid's kids were actually kind of cute. Maybe because Randy Quaid's character was more believable as a father than those of either of his co-stars.

Best Bad Date Scene

[rj-20 · 9/10 · 13 March 2000]

I am a single dad and I enjoyed this movie a lot! I laughed and I cried. I loved the bad date scene with Randy Quaid and Jeanne Garafalo. She played the bad date to perfection. The movie was not perfect but it was a commendable attempt to bring some humor to a subject which seems far from humurous when you are going thru it. Very entertaining!

Funny

[fmwongmd · 6/10 · 8 April 2020]

Well scripted and well acted comedy with terrific acting on the part of RandyQuail, Paul Reiner and Michael Modine.

Terrible Movie

[filmbuff1970 · 1/10 · 24 May 2002]

The first 15 minutes are set in Macdonalds.it feels like an extended advert for them.The plot goes nowhere slowly and as for this being a comedy,its just not funny.i did not laugh once. i had the misfortune of seeing this at the cinema.Pathetic.1 out of 10

A Poignant, Touching, Believable Look at Dads After Divorce

[sixleggedfreak · 10/10 · 1 December 2010]

This film really explores the roles that children and fathers are placed in after divorce. It is far more than a comedy as it explores some of the situations and feelings that are present in the divorced family that includes kids.

This is a truly likable, wonderfully enjoyable, fun movie with enough comedy to make it laughable, but enough perspective to make a someone examine the roles of a family before and after divorce.

This movie is a true keeper for our family. We watch it about 3 times a year.

Highly recommended in my opinion.

Janeane Garofalo saves the film.

[emauser · 3/10 · 13 August 2001]

Saves it from a whopping '1' rating, that is. She was the only thing interesting in this film with her great performance as a psycho-date. The rest of the film was shoddily put together with pointless dramatic scenes, (the girl imprisons herself in a tree house and everyone comes running? Please...) and obvious comedic inserts to break whatever tension that somehow amounted. Overall it's a crummy film...airlines shouldn't even view it for risk of starting a complimentary peanut-throwing riot.

One giant McDonald's commercial.

[tsundae · 3 June 2003]

I have seen this movie twice now and I have to post my opinions as to why this movie is crap in terms of writing, directing, and editing... possibly even casting.

"Bye Bye, Love" stars the TV star, Paul Reiser, as a guy who divorced his wife for reasons we never really know... and he is still in love with her. Matthew Modine plays an always smiling (never acting) "charmer." Randy Quaid plays another odd character that never is well developed because the movie has too many plots and characters to really focus on anyone in particular.

One thing that sickens me about this movie is how much blatant advertising is done within it. Off the top of my head, I remember Kettle Chips, Minute Maid, and last and certainly not least, McDonald's. I bet MickeyD's patroned the entire movie, to show that divorcees should meet there every weekend to trade their kids, seeing as the divorce rate in America is over 50% of all married couples. What a demographic to hit for! I never heard of people meeting at fast food restaurants to exchange their kids for the weekend before this.

Next thing, Eliza Dushku hitting on the guy who works at McDonalds? How realistic is that? Yes, I realize all of you Buffy fans that she is "Faith" but it doesn't make up for the fact that her character was undeveloped and weak. For example, when she gets drunk and screams at her father and says all of that typical "i broke up the marriage" crap... where did any of that come from? We are given no clues as to why she's angry except for Reiser's "that age between 13 and 36" quote.

The chronology in this movie was hard to follow, too, because most of the scenes played independent to the others, while going back and forth between the 40 stories going on. The music montages added to the story, making it even worse than it already was. The lovely "wrap-up" at the end really made the story feel like it ended at a very awkward place. The climax was very... semi-climatic. Quaid's character is a rollercoaster of uncertainty. He's not a dynamic character... he's a schiz. So is his lovely date, Garafolo.

This movie doesn't give insight as to what men are going through after a divorce... it gives what women want men to be like. I would only recommend this movie to people who want to be brainwashed by Dr. Laura-esque psychology and the mesmers at McDonalds.

Surprisingly Realistic!

[jbartelone · 7/10 · 21 June 2007]

I really enjoyed Bye Bye Love. While many films have been done to death about divorced families and the trials and tribulations of their ex-spouses and kids, Bye Bye Love creates a very realistic chemistry of bickering couples, couples who still love each other, and single dads who have trouble dealing with divorce in multi-dimensional ways.

It's all there: The day planning, the little league games, the dates, where everything that can go wrong often does go wrong. Mix all of this with the loud kids and spouses! Many people can deal with these issues in their own dysfunctional families. Watch for the best scene in the movie, where one of the Dad's has a "Date from Hell" at an Italian restaurant! Some critics and reviews have negatively discussed how the film personifies McDonald's as an "ad endorsement" for the fast-food chain. But, I didn't see this at all. Many people of divorced families will often meet at a fast food place for lunch or dinner to talk about their issues with their spouses and kids. Another element to the realism of the movie.

The only minor downfall is that the ending is a little too pat and preachy with the "Just love your kids" routine. But there are many strong subplots and situations that anyone going through a divorce can understand. I recommend this movie. You might find something in it if you are going through a divorce, especially with kids involved, that you can relate to it in your own life. I always made a point to watch Bye Bye Love whenever it is on. Now I can watch the movie anytime I want. I own the DVD, and learn something new from the movie after each subsequent viewing.

A fair film at best. A bit forced.

[cs-15 · 6/10 · 5 March 2000]

It wasn't a bad film, and some parts of the premise were treated with sensitivity and honesty. Much was quite contrived, and sometimes the "acting" showed up far too much (as being forced, or strained) Some of the sub-plot lines were thin and seemed almost as if they were padding just to lengthen the movie...(much like writing term papers!)

Good movie for divorcees

[Sergiodave · 7/10 · 28 July 2021]

It was the superb cast that made me watch this great little movie. The setting is three divorced male friends all having a hard time being divorced, having to deal with Kids, dating and exes. A well made movie that is unfortunately all too believable. A very good watch.

A feel-good movie, if you've never seen anything better

[Welsh_Corgie · 2/10 · 12 February 2005]

To begin, I'll admit that I bought the movie because Eliza Dushku was in it. Plus, I find Paul Reiser funny for some reason. When I started playing this movie, a weird feeling hit me, and it never left me after that point. It was a feeling of dread, perhaps. Bye Bye Love is trite. It's hard for me to call a movie trite because I find myself being one-note on occasion. The movie was a long string of inconsequential one-liners punctuated by stressed emotional moments. I really liked Janeane Garofalo here, as a crazy blind date for Randy Quaid, who was the most genuine of the three father-actors(Matthew Modine, Reiser, and Quaid). The B-plot of the movie seemed to shift focus between Rob Reiner's lousy radio psychiatrist and Ed Flanders as an old man trying to find use for himself as a McDonald's employee(in his last role, wasted on this movie). Reiner provides the psych evaluation of divorcées, and the segue into the weekend ritual of swapping kids(at the corporate sponsor of the movie, McDonald's, whose ominous flags and arches loom in the background of too many of the exterior shots), and gets his comeuppance at the end of the movie, at the hands of Quaid. This seems like a good John Hughes movie gone terribly, terribly wrong, complete with silly montages and the expository scene at the end where everybody has a revelation and warm feelings. I think someone was trying to package this movie as a The Big Chill 'the next step,' with the requisite soundtrack(including much Everly Brothers, hence the name of the movie). One thing that creeped me out about this movie was the presence of both Amber Benson and Lindsay Crouse, and Dushku, who all worked together again in the fourth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Danny Masterson was also present, as the stereotypical stoner/drunk kid, and in blink-and-you'll-miss-them roles were Jack Black as a party DJ and Steven Root as a disgruntled neighbor.

Touching, in a humerous way. . .

[laishers · 10/10 · 13 September 2001]

WARNING: This review contains a couple of PLOT POINTS and

SCENE SPOILERS; if you do not wish to find out too much about

this movie, then please DO NOT READ.

This film is often billed as a comedy on television, but in fact this is

not entirely accurate. People often associate comedy with films

such as "Airplane!", or "Hot Shots", but anybody looking for this

kind of humour is going to be a little disappointed. "Bye Bye Love"

simply tries to bring the subject of divorce, with all the benefits and

the costs it can have, in a comical fashion, admittedly, but it does

not let the production be ruled by laughs and gags. In fact, it is

doused with only a sprinkling of laughs, particularly in the middle

of the film itself.

The film itself is also incredibly effective at relaying the message it

brings, and leaves the audience with some doubt as to whether

divorce is the answer to an unhappy relationship - but it also

enforces that it is not the end of the world.

When the jokes do come in, to relieve some of the tension in the

film, they are usually quick and simple, and all the cast deliver with

skill. The real star of the show, however, has got to be Randy

Quaid (Vic), who plays a spectacular performance and brings out

the best comical content in his scenes, particularly those involving

his wife's porch, his date (played by Janeane Garofalo, a good foil

against Quaid) and his reactions to Dr. David Townsend (played

superbly by Rob Reiner).

In all, the film tackles some important issues about married life

and the problems that can happen, without ever taking itself too

seriously, and in the end, it's hard to say how the film might have

improved itself.

One reason to watch this movie

[Movman · 3/10 · 5 August 1999]

Jaenene is the only reason to watch this film. If you rent it fast forward to her part and then turn it off because it is not a good movie. There is one other funny bit with Paul Reiser but other than the movie is terrible. Not suprisingly it has Mathew Modine in it who for someone reason keeps turning up in movies. I figured Ethan Hawke would suck up all his roles since the two are almost indistinguishable or however you spell that word. So if you are huge fan of Janeane like I am then watch for her small but very funny role and then keep watching at your own risk just remember that you were warned.

For those starting over, this film is a touching and truthful inspiration for things to come

[inkblot11 · 8/10 · 7 August 2007]

Dave (Matthew Modine), Vic (Randy Quaid), and Donny (Paul Reiser) are a trio of friends and divorced fathers. Dave has a beautiful new young girlfriend named Kim (Maria Pitillo) but still sports a wandering eye. Vic, whose soul was definitely bruised by his ex-wife, is just agreeing to go on a blind date with Lucille (Janeane Garofalo). As for Donny (Paul Reiser), he is also having severe trouble moving on, holding his former wife in high esteem, even though she has remarried. All of the men have children that they love deeply and who fall into their custody at the appropriate times. Yet, meeting their former mates at such places as McDonald's, in order to exchange their children, still gives everyone a pang of hurt. Will Dave learn to commit himself to one woman? Will Vic let go of his resentments and take a chance on a new love? And will Donny realize his ex is never coming back and give himself permission to love someone else, even if it is Dave's former wife (Amy Brenneman)? As for the kids, will they be able to weather their parents divorce, too? This is a truthful and touching film about divorce in modern America. Yes, it is very common now, making life complicated, especially when children are involved. But, even so, it is not the end of the world, as all of the men, women, and kids discover in this movie. All of the actors are wonderful, with Quaid, especially, giving an extremely humorous and thoughtful performance. Special mention should also go to Garofalo for her drop-dead-funny, neurotic-yet-lovable portrayal of a divorcée. Then, too, the California setting is lovely, the costumes very well chosen, and the production values quite high. Most of all, the script is funny, original, and brutally honest. If you have been down the divorce highway, you should definitely make time for this film. It will help heal wounds with its laughs and sensitivity. But, even if you just want to find a film that will let you "yuck it up", this one is a terrific choice.

Stay Single

[darin-wissbaum · 1/10 · 5 August 2009]

This movie is a good example that all men should stay single in America. Its about three single dads (Matthew Modine, Randy Quaid and Paul Reiser)who meet every weekend at the local Mcdonalds to pick up their kids from their ex-wives. They are shown going through the hardships of being single dads and dealing with their former wives spending the child support money on things other than the kids. The ex-wives are correctly shown I feel of how women in America have the upper hand in divorce, as them being first, kids second ex husbands last. Aside from that this film sucks. The three men in this movie are nothing but a bunch of wimps who need to grow up but instead sit through the whole film complaining about who their ex-wives may be seeing, dealing with their own incapacity with seeing new women and how to talk to their children. I know this film comes off as a light hearted comedy but it got no laughs from me. The one thing it does show correctly is what marriage has become in America these days. How selfish grown-ups can be and that kids in marriage are nothing more than part of the deal...Ya know we have a house, two cars, cat and dog and now we need kids. If it does not work than oh well cause its all about me after all.

The date scene in the restaurant between Quiad and Janeane Garofalo is so poorly written as to be embarrassing. She was the date from hell that could not make up her mind about what she wanted to order and by the time the scene ended I was so exhausted I wanted to scream. Janeane Garofalo character served no useful purpose except to irritate the audience. She was poorly mis-cast.

Stay single guys***

This has to be the longest product placement(Mcdonalds)in film history

Harmless entertainment, disappointing family matters. Rate 5/10.

[Grafiq · 13 November 2001]

I'm SHOCKED at the number of comments claiming this to be a "great," "best," "touching," "poignant," "believable" movie or the like. If you treasure shallow, emotionally cheapened drama laced in mostly banal humor then this may be in your treasure chest.

Granted, 'Bye, Bye, Love' is harmless entertainment with several anecdotal family or relationship moments strewn throughout. But let's keep it in perspective, folks. It's not garbage, but this is no 'Parenthood' or 'Author, Author' either.

This movie may hit home only if you view life from the perspective of a pampered, 14 year-old middle to upper-middle class teenager who learned about life from TV. It is chock full of one-dimensional caricatures of married life, divorce and parenthood. It rarely mimics real life unless you've lived your adult life at the maturity level of teenage relationships and priorities.

Grab your wife or girlfriend, even the kids (it's pretty safe), maybe some snacks and sit together for a couple hours of diluted, Reader's Digest-style family entertainment. Expect nothing more.

I must agree with others that the scenes involving the characters of Janeane Garofalo and Randy Quaid are priceless, standout comedy treasures, but wasted in a film about adults acting like children acting like adults.

Worst dad movie I have ever seen

[YMY_ · 1/10 · 24 June 2021]

All of the dads in the movie are awful persons. Interesting archetypes of divorced dads, but their characters simply not well written. For example, Randy Quaid's character is aggressive, he doesn't really care about his kids, he has a midlife crisis and buys an expensive car. In the dating scene, he is misogynistic, it was just awful to watch the jokes about the lady's weight. Overall the whole movie is made from a male perspective, trying to make excuses for men that are unable to share their emotions and communicate them. At the end of the movie, there is some kind of life lesson against toxic masculinity, but it's irrelevant after the previous 90 minutes of glorification of the hard life of the divorced men. The movie overall ignoring the so-called classical female roles in the family like the invisible labor, on the other side they trying to make us sympathize with the hard-working white male. The movie consciously supports the lifestyle that recreates the same problems - for example, the McDonalds scene with the old man could have been a criticism of the problems of the social services - but instead, it's a sentimental story of an old man who goes to one of the hardest labor just because he is bored - what is simply unreal. The movie also not funny at all so I had a lot of time thinking about these things.