Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- wistful
- earnest
- quiet evening
- romance marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the sequel as a poorly realized and unsuccessful continuation of Oliver's romantic story.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Oliver's memories of Jenny continually shape his guarded relationship with Marcie and his capacity to love again.
Oliver is pushed into regular therapy to address the distress he has suppressed since Jenny's death.
Marcie's wealthy background and Oliver's elite family life contrast with Jenny's working-class origins and influence expectations within the new relationship.
Oliver's housing-project renovation initiative helps low-income tenants gain control through sweat-equity investment.
Films like Oliver's Story, and why
The Goodbye Girl
bereavement, hesitant second love, and emotionally guarded romantic drama
Terms of Endearment
adult romance shaped by grief, class tension, and difficult emotional recovery
Love Story
melodramatic relationship storytelling centered on loss and renewed intimacy
An Unmarried Woman
widowhood, emotional healing, and a cautious late-life romantic connection
Movie Details
- Director
- John Korty
- Release Date
- 1978-12-15
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 4.8 / 10 (31)
Cast
- Ryan O'Neal
- Candice Bergen
- Nicola Pagett
- Edward Binns
- Benson Fong
- Charles Haid
- Kenneth McMillan
- Ray Milland
- Josef Sommer
- Swoosie Kurtz
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Oliver's Story about?
- A bereaved Manhattan lawyer struggles to honor his lost marriage while cautiously reopening his life to love, therapy, and reconciliation.
- What is Oliver's Story like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Oliver's Story as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Oliver's Story violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Oliver's Story.
- What did critics think of Oliver's Story?
- Critics broadly regarded the sequel as a poorly realized and unsuccessful continuation of Oliver's romantic story.
- Which films are like Oliver's Story?
- Films with a similar feel include The Goodbye Girl, Terms of Endearment, Love Story, and An Unmarried Woman.
- How long is Oliver's Story?
- Oliver's Story runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Oliver's Story?
- In United States, Oliver's Story is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
