The Heartbreak Kid

The Heartbreak Kid

Year: 1972

Runtime: 106 min

Language: English

DramaComedyRomance

Newlywed Lenny finds his dream tropical honeymoon turned upside down when he meets the captivating Kelly. His initial excitement quickly gives way to doubts about his recent marriage, as he becomes increasingly drawn to Kelly's charm. Torn between his commitment and a burgeoning attraction, Lenny must navigate the complexities of his feelings and the challenges to his newfound marital bliss.

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Timeline & Setting – The Heartbreak Kid (1972)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Heartbreak Kid (1972). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

New York City, Miami Beach, Minnesota

The story moves from a bustling New York City to a sunny Miami Beach honeymoon, then shifts to the quieter, family-centered Midwest in Minnesota. The varied locales highlight the contrast between urban ambition, resort leisure, and domestic life. These settings underline the social pressures and romantic fantasies that drive the plot.

🌆 Urban settings 🏖️ Beach locales 🗺️ Midwest towns

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:14

Main Characters – The Heartbreak Kid (1972)

Meet the key characters of The Heartbreak Kid (1972), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lenny Cantrow (Charles Grodin)

A self-absorbed sporting goods salesman whose superficial charm masks a lack of empathy. He reflexively pursues excitement, marries to secure a shortcut to romance, and then ruthlessly chases another woman when it suits him. His actions reveal a pattern of self-centered manipulation that undermines those around him.

🎭 Manipulative 😶 Self-centered 🧭 Hedonistic

Lila Cantrow (Cybill Shepherd)

An earnest, initially reserved woman who believes in emotional commitment. Her transformation during the honeymoon era reveals both resilience and vulnerability, as she becomes the emotional anchor in a situation spiraling out of control. Her reaction to Lenny's deception drives much of the film's emotional stakes.

💖 Naive 💪 Resilient 🏷️ Suburban wife

Kelly Corcoran

A beautiful, carefree vacationer whose indifference to the surrounding drama allows Lenny's schemes to persist. She embodies the thrill-seeking fantasy that Lenny clings to, helping him rationalize his pursuit of a new relationship.

🌟 Vacation romance 🏖️ Romantic ideal 🌀 Indifferent

Mr. Corcoran

Kelly's protective father who embodies middle-class standards and exerts pressure to preserve family honor. His willingness to negotiate with money adds a pragmatic obstacle to Lenny's pursuit, highlighting the tension between affection and social expectations.

💼 Authority figure 💵 Bribery 🛡️ Protective father

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:14

Major Themes – The Heartbreak Kid (1972)

Explore the central themes of The Heartbreak Kid (1972), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💍 Commitment vs Convenience

Lenny impulsively marries Lila to secure a quick romantic victory, then quickly pivots to pursuing another relationship. The narrative critiques the idea that marriage can be dismissed as a shortcut to lasting happiness. It exposes how personal desire can trump responsibility, leaving emotional fallout in its wake.

🃏 Deception and Self-Delusion

Lenny crafts elaborate lies to justify his actions and hide his infidelity. The farcical tone reveals his vanity and inability to empathize with others. The cycle of deception ultimately erodes trust and exposes the hollowness of his schemes.

💰 Money, Privilege and Social Pressure

Wealth and social standing surface as practical constraints and incentives in the pursuit of romance, including a bribe offered by Kelly's father. The film satirizes how money and status can shape relationships while masking genuine emotional connection. It questions whether romance can survive under financial and familial pressure.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:14

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Dark comedies of self-delusion like The Heartbreak Kid

Where the quest for happiness leads to hilariously cruel self-delusion.For viewers seeking movies like The Heartbreak Kid, this collection features cynical comedies where humorous situations mask deep character flaws. These similar films explore the awkward and desperate lengths people go to in pursuit of a idealized life, often leaving a trail of emotional wreckage.

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Narrative Summary

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Stories where a hasty decision unravels under the weight of a new temptation.If you liked The Heartbreak Kid's exploration of post-wedding doubt, this list features similar drama and romance films about hasty marriages and love triangles. These movies capture the specific anxiety of realizing a major life choice may have been a mistake, often with bittersweet outcomes.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist who has recently made a binding romantic commitment, only to immediately encounter doubt, often personified by a new, seemingly perfect love interest. The plot unfolds as they grapple with their conscience, societal expectations, and the emotional fallout of their indecision, typically leading to a conclusion that questions the very idea of a 'perfect' match.

Why These Movies?

They share a focus on the theme of infidelity born from doubt rather than malice, a moderate emotional weight balancing genuine pain with dramatic tension, and a bittersweet tone that acknowledges the complexity of human relationships without offering easy answers.

Unlock the Full Story of The Heartbreak Kid

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Heartbreak Kid 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 The Heartbreak Kid is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Heartbreak Kid Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Heartbreak Kid, 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.

The Heartbreak Kid Summary

The Heartbreak Kid Timeline

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

The Heartbreak Kid Timeline

The Heartbreak Kid Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Heartbreak Kid Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Heartbreak Kid

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Heartbreak Kid: 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 The Heartbreak Kid

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