Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice
Seen it?1969 | 105 min | Comedy, Drama
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (79% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention, though it had a lukewarm 6.3 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Happiness, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 45 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Made in 1969: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
After returning to Los Angeles from a group therapy session, documentary filmmaker Bob Sanders and his wife, Carol, find themselves becoming vigilante couples counselors, offering unsolicited advice to their best friends, Ted and Alice Henderson. Not wanting to be rude, the Hendersons play along, but some latent sexual tension among the four soon comes bubbling to the surface, and long-buried desires don't stay buried for long.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
79% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesBelow par
6.3 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen. Also nominated for 4 Oscars, 1 Golden Globe and 2 BAFTAs. Plus 3 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$32 million worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 111K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Paul Mazursky
- Natalie WoodCarol Sanders
- Robert CulpBob Sanders
- Elliott GouldTed Henderson
- Dyan CannonAlice Henderson
- Horst EbersbergHorst
- Lee BergereEmilio
- Donald F. MuhichPsychiatrist
- Noble Lee Holderread Jr.Sean Sanders
- K.T. StevensPhyllis
- Celeste YarnallSusan