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Melvin and Howard

1980·Movie
1h 35min·R
77
GreatGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in any country yet.

Melvin and Howard fingerprint

Strong craft, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension4
  • Fast Pace4
  • Spectacle3

Heart

Melancholic and moving

  • Melancholy8
  • Pathos7
  • Wholesome6

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Satire & Parody4
  • Situational Comedy3

World

A real life story, history, and everyday modern life

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7
  • Editing6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want fast pacing

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Poor Melvin. All he wanted was to be Milkman of the Month. Instead, he lost his job, his truck, and his wife. Then Howard Hughes left him $156,000,000.

The story of hard-luck Melvin Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes. Inspired by real events.
Biographical DramaWorking-Class StrugglesEccentric CharactersAmerican DreamHumanity and EmpathyMoral AmbiguityUnderdog StoryOrdinary People

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Melvin and Howard

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Melvin and Howard legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for Melvin and Howard in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is Melvin and Howard worth watching?

77
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 78/100 (IMDb 6.8 and Rotten Tomatoes 91%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Melvin and Howard rated?

R

It's rated R in the United States.

How long is Melvin and Howard?

1 h 35 min

Melvin and Howard runs 1 h 35 min.

Is Melvin and Howard based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on Melvin and Howard?

Critics91
Audiences64

Not quite. Critics rate Melvin and Howard higher (91) than audiences (64). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is Melvin and Howard in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

What tropes does Melvin and Howard use?

Artistic License – HistoryReal-Person CameoForging the WillName and Name

TV Tropes lists 4 storytelling tropes for Melvin and Howard, including Artistic License – History, Real-Person Cameo, Forging the Will.