have read the other comment on this film and i would like to share my own view that this be one tough movie to see unless you be a total brooksophile . i be not . when look at by a purely objective observer and the film be an unbalanced narrative that present u with more undistilled neurosis than be capable of be absorb in one sitting . it be quite difficult to watch . the brooks character ( robert cole ) be so unsympathetic and unpleasant that it be hard to relate to him let alone root for him a he stumble from one dysfunctional self absorb situation to the next . and he should never do a topless scene and expect to be take seriously in a romantic context . no man could have that much expose foliage and be suppose to turn on a babe like kathryn harrold unless and of course and he be albert brook in an albert brook control production . modern romance have it amusing moment but they be fragmentary and infrequent . more often than not and i felt a if i be on a confine journey with a thoroughly dislikable person and wishing that it would end already . it confirm the problem that can develop when too much control of a film be place in only one person someone who lack the self discipline to be able to step back from it and see what be clearly happen . a most people probably know and james l. brook and who play the director in this film and be in fact what he portray . six year later and he cast albert brook in the very successful broadcast news . james show u how albert can shape a credible and entertaining comic performance . albert allow u to see james ( generally not cast a an actor ) do a rare comic turn in a surprisingly effective manner . fan of modern romance will by now have move on to the next laudatory comment about it . to you i say there be enough pain in the world without have to find it in a film intend a an entertainment .