A single man and woman, having met in a bar the night before, wake up together in bed "the morning after" but can't decide where to go from there. Two charismatic leads (Dustin Hoffman just after "The Graduate" and Mia Farrow post-"Rosemary's Baby") try enlightening a terribly flat screenplay, but the sluggish narrative and sterile atmosphere make it impossible. The fluid flashbacks and flights-of-fancy help fill in the gaps, but the problem is the main characters and their dialogue. Farrow's Mary is all over the place: guarded and vague (and a little rude), and then sheepish and huggable; Hoffman's John is suspicious and cynical, but yielding. Some of their thoughts and emotions ring true, but the follow-up to all this is pure fantasy. "John and Mary" could certainly use a little whimsy--yet after all that fashionable cynicism, the old-fashioned finale is rather tough to swallow. ** from ****

I saw it when it came out, when I was getting out of architecture school and have wanted to see it again but cannot find it. For some strange reason, it left a strong impression on me and I want to see why?! I recall Dustin Hoffmann was a furniture designer and made horribly uncomfortable furniture, but did not know it, which seem implausible because he looked uncomfortable in it. I was also intrigued by the design of his apartment as I am always interested in seeing how Hollywood seems to do things that look great architecturally, but which the codes do not allow (such as stairs with no railings). The relationship between the two also intrigued me as they obviously were interested in one another but were conditioned to be aloof, making it impossible to simply admit they liked one another. I assume both stars are too embarrassed to see it released, which is odd because it would probably be a big hit today as a romantic comedy.

This is a fine little movie. It is a great commentary at the way young singles acted out their lives at the start of the anything-goes ME era. It's worth watching just to hear Mia say that line about breakfast. I remember at the time it was released that Dustin Hoffman was a bit unconvincing as a swinging single, since it had only been about 3 years since Mrs. Robinson seduced him after he spent the afternoon floating around the family pool. When you watch "John and Mary", enjoy the great on-location filming, and keep a sharp lookout for when the two title characters actually introduce themselves by name to each other, lest you miss this touching moment.

It had everything going for it, the hottest young stars of the late sixties, Dustin Hoffman and Mia Farrow, fresh from the successes of the Graduate and Rosemary's Baby. The director had just made the huge hit Bullit and the hopes were very high, the two stars were on the cover of Time magazine!It was set in swinging New York, nice photography, cool apartments and clothes, it had to be a hit, right?What went wrong?????? The script, I suppose. They hadn't considered that it had to say something. Instead we are treated to lots of meaningful looks from the leads. Though, they are good looking....Is it a comedy? Hard to tell, funny it wasn't. In fact it's dullsville! Quite embarrassing at times. It seems under-rehearsed, as if the actors had only read the script once. Mia Farrow is too mannered doing her little-old-lady-in-a-girls-body routine. Surprisingly Dustin doesn't overact.This film disappeared from sight. Ms. Farrow hardly mentions it in her biography. Does anyone remember it?