this agonizing comedy drama get surprisingly sterling review upon it release in 1979. i remember open the movie section of the l. a. time and look at a 2 page advertisement for chapter two fill with glowing caption like represent well than the goodbye girl . and neil simon do it again . what do neil simon do . he take an autobiographical situation ( remarry too soon after the death of a beloved spouse ) and make it rusty and unpleasant and bad of all unfunny . james caan play neil er . that be and george a writer who can not seem to get back into life after lose his wife while enter spirit marsha mason ( real life mrs. simon . soon to be ex mrs. simon ) who attempt to love george despite his mood and general melancholy . mason be very appeal here and might have save the day be it not for caan indifference ( not to mention a sub plot concern painfully thin and blonde valerie harper which bring the proceeding to a screeching halt ) . i like mason outburst at the end ( i be wonderful . i be nut about me . ) and but i saw no happy end for these two people . and time prove me right . from .