Such Good Friends

Such Good Friends

Year: 1971

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: English

Director: Otto Preminger

ComedyDrama

After a routine hospital visit for her husband Richard spirals into chaos, repressed Julie Messinger confronts the hidden desires she’s suppressed. The revelation of a once‑bestselling little black book forces her secrets to surface, sparking a painful quest for authenticity that clashes with the expectations of her community.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Such Good Friends yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Such Good Friends (1971)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Such Good Friends (1971). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

early 1970s

The events take place in a contemporary early 1970s New York setting, reflecting the era’s shifting gender dynamics and urban life. The period’s social mores shape how the characters discuss fidelity, obligation, and personal autonomy. The film uses this time frame to heighten the tension between private desires and public reputations.

Location

Manhattan, Central Park

The story unfolds primarily in Manhattan, with key scenes in a family home, a hospital, and the bustle of Central Park. The dense urban environment frames the emotional intensity of betrayal, confrontation, and the social scrutiny the characters face. Hospital corridors and park paths become stages for secrets, confrontations, and the search for stability after marital breakdown.

🌆 Urban 🗽 New York City life 🏙️ City setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:21

Main Characters – Such Good Friends (1971)

Meet the key characters of Such Good Friends (1971), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Julie Messinger — Dyan Cannon

A Manhattan housewife and mother whose complacent life is upended by her husband's infidelity. She moves from emotional numbness to active confrontation, navigating betrayals and the tension between staying together for her children and seeking personal truth. Her later decision to seduce Timmy marks a controversial assertion of agency within a compromised moral landscape.

💪 Strong-willed 🗣️ Emotionally torn 👩‍👧 Family-oriented

Richard Messinger — Laurence Luckinbill

A chauvinistic, self-centered magazine art director and author of a best-selling children's book. His numerous affairs drive the plot and corrupt the trust at the heart of the family, illustrating a reckless pursuit of pleasure at the expense of commitment.

💼 Ambitious 💔 Unfaithful 🎭 Charismatic

Miranda — Jennifer O'Neill

Cal's girlfriend who confesses an affair with Richard. She loves Richard and has discussed marriage, yet she remains hesitant to fully commit, revealing the complexities of desire, loyalty, and social expectations within the circle of friends.

💔 Torn 🗣️ Secretive 💬 Indecisive

Cal Whiting — Ken Howard

A family friend whose relationship with Miranda cross-cuts the main couple's turmoil. He attempts to seduce Julie but is tempered by personal complications, highlighting the messy web of affection and desire among adults in their circle.

💬 Frank 💔 Complicated 🧭 Loyal friend

Dr. Timmy Spector — James Coco

A physician who is aware of Richard's affairs and becomes entangled with Julie after inviting her to his apartment. His acceptance of the affair and Julie's subsequent seduction illustrate a morally gray area in the medical and personal spheres.

🧭 Ethical 🗣️ Complicit 🩺 Doctor

Dr. Mahler — James Beard

Hospital doctor who explains Richard's medical condition and the severity of his organ damage. He serves as a clinical voice amid the family crisis, grounding the drama in medical realities.

💉 Medical 🗣️ Professional 🏥 Hospital

Julie's Mother — Nina Foch

An egocentric presence in Julie's life who offers limited, often critical guidance. Her inability to discuss the affair openly underscores the era's social discomfort with confronting marital discord.

💬 Judgmental 👩‍👧 Family-strain 🗯️ Blunt

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:21

Major Themes – Such Good Friends (1971)

Explore the central themes of Such Good Friends (1971), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Infidelity

Infidelity lies at the core of the plot, driving Julie's heartbreak and every major decision. Richard's repeated affairs destabilize his marriage and family. Miranda's confession exposes a long-running pattern of betrayal. The coded black book and multiple affairs complicate loyalties, forcing Julie to choose how to respond.

💪 Agency

Julie's reactions show a desire to reclaim control. She challenges Miranda, which reveals the limits and pressures of female agency in a male-dominated social sphere. Her decision to confront the affair and seduce Timmy demonstrates a controversial assertion of power. Ultimately, her choices are tempered by love, fear, and a desire for family stability.

🫀 Mortality

Richard's liver damage escalates into a medical crisis that tests Julie's commitment. The hospital's urgency and the threat of death heighten emotional stakes for Julie and her two sons. The narrative uses these moments to explore fragility, recovery, and the meaning of family in the face of loss.

🗝️ Secrets

A black book with coded data about Richard's affairs becomes the catalyst for unraveling relationships. Julie's discovery exposes loyalties and motivates actions among Miranda, Cal, and Timmy. The film uses secrets to examine how reputation and memory shape the characters' futures and their sense of self.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:21

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Such Good Friends

Don't stop at just watching — explore Such Good Friends in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Such Good Friends is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Such Good Friends Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Such Good Friends, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Such Good Friends Summary

Such Good Friends Timeline

Track the full timeline of Such Good Friends with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Such Good Friends Timeline

More About Such Good Friends

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Such Good Friends: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Such Good Friends

Similar Movies to Such Good Friends

Discover movies like Such Good Friends that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.