A Perfect Couple (1979)

An older man (Paul Dooley) still living at home with his Greek family dominated by his father (Titos Vandis) meets a much younger girl (Marta Heflin), who sings in a rock band, through a dating service. Co-written and directed by Robert Altman, this offbeat romantic comedy is an atypical film for him. It's not one of his best films but I liked the quirky vibes. Its two protagonists aren't your standard good looking (and usually vapid) Hollywood's idea of a romcom couple. They're plain looking, ordinary people and their situation seems entirely plausible (at least for 1979). The film's biggest problem is the overabundance of music. Heflin is a singer in a rock band and the film is crammed with the band performing songs and the majority of the songs just aren't very good. Altman may not be at his creative peak here but there's enough charm to carry the movie over the patchy parts and Dooley and Heflin make for a refreshing pair of conflicted lovers. With Heather McRae, Ted Neeley (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR), Dennis Franz, Belita Moreno, Henry Gibson and Dimitra Arliss.