Group Marriage

Group Marriage

Year: 1973

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Stephanie Rothman

ComedyDrama

Chris’s relationship with boyfriend Sandor deteriorates, leading her into an affair with parole officer Dennis. Dennis brings the pair to dinner with his former girlfriend Jan. During a beach picnic Jan meets lifeguard Phil, who later sleeps with Chris and joins the household. Phil introduces lawyer Elaine, and the six eventually form a group marriage that draws media scrutiny and sparks prejudice and conflict.

Group Marriage (1973) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Group Marriage (1973) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a sun‑baked California suburb, the everyday rhythm of a car‑rental shop becomes the backdrop for a quietly turbulent love life. Chris is practical and assertive, navigating the demands of work alongside her friend Judy while her partnership with Sandor—a quick‑witted poet of bumper‑sticker slogans—has begun to crack. Their clashes feel less like arguments and more like the first tremors of a deeper re‑configuration, hinting at a world where conventional romance is just one of many possible arrangements. The tone balances the ordinary with a lingering sense of restless possibility, inviting the viewer to wonder how far the characters will push the boundaries of commitment.

Enter Dennis, a parole officer whose professional detachment quickly gives way to personal entanglement, and Jan, a former stewardess whose presence adds both flair and complexity to the expanding circle. A casual beach picnic introduces Phil, a lifeguard whose easy charm and spontaneous decisions ripple through the group, while Elaine, a sharp‑tongued lawyer, brings a measured, legal perspective to the growing intimacy. As these six individuals begin to co‑habit, they forge an unconventional arrangement that flirts with the idea of a “group marriage.” Their experiment attracts media attention and a spectrum of public reaction—curiosity, prejudice, and outright scrutiny—that underscores the film’s satirical yet heartfelt examination of societal norms.

The film’s atmosphere is a blend of breezy, sun‑lit visuals and a subtle, off‑beat humor that keeps the story feeling both intimate and expansive. It watches the characters as they negotiate affection, jealousy, and the desire for belonging, all while the outside world watches and judges their choices. Through witty dialogue and layered interactions, the narrative invites the audience to consider what love can look like when it is deliberately reshaped, leaving a lingering impression of a community daring to redefine family on its own terms.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:01

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Found Family Movies Like Group Marriage

Groups who build their own unconventional homes in the face of society's judgment.Looking for more movies like Group Marriage about building a chosen family? This collection features films where characters defy convention to create their own supportive households, celebrating defiant love and unconventional bonds against a judging world.

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Group Marriage Summary

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Group Marriage Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Group Marriage

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Group Marriage

More About Group Marriage

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