Watch Reuben, Reuben

Reuben, Reuben is a 1983 comedy-drama film directed by Robert Ellis Miller and starring Tom Conti, Kelly McGillis, and Roberts Blossom. The film is based on the novel by Peter De Vries. The film follows Gowan McGland (Tom Conti), a philandering poet and alcoholic who has made a name for himself in the literary world but has failed to find true success. He travels to a small New England town to give a poetry reading and ends up falling in love with a young woman named Geneva Spofford (Kelly McGillis).

Geneva is the daughter of a wealthy, eccentric businessman named Frank Spofford (Roberts Blossom), who has a fondness for playing pranks on his friends and neighbors. Frank discovers that Gowan is having an affair with his daughter and uses the opportunity to play a cruel prank on him.

Despite Gowan's struggles with alcoholism and his messy love life, he navigates the world of small-town life, finding inspiration in his encounters with the locals. He befriends a young girl named Marlene (Cynthia Harris) who has a crush on him, gets in trouble with the law, and finds himself in a love triangle with Geneva and her best friend, Evalyn (Jessica Tandy).

As the film progresses, Gowan's life spirals out of control, and he realizes that he needs to make some changes if he wants to find happiness and true success. He learns that life is complicated and that success can be elusive, but he finds hope in the people and experiences of the small town he has come to love.

The film is a witty, quirky comedy-drama that explores themes of love, friendship, and the struggles of the creative life. The characters are richly drawn, and the performances by the lead actors are outstanding. Tom Conti brings a charm and vulnerability to his role as the flawed and troubled poet, while Kelly McGillis shines as the innocent but determined Geneva. Roberts Blossom steals every scene he's in as the mischievous Frank Spofford.

The cinematography and set design are also noteworthy, as the film captures the beauty and quirkiness of the small New England town where the story takes place. The score, composed by Dave Grusin, is a fitting accompaniment to the film's blend of humor and drama.

Overall, Reuben, Reuben is an underrated gem of a film that deserves more attention. It combines elements of comedy and drama with a sharp wit and a warm heart, creating a film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It's a film that will make you laugh and make you think, and it's definitely worth watching.