Summary
Burdened by a family secret, Adam White lands a job as a newspaper advice columnist. Little does he realize that it's all part of a nasty desire by cynical editor William Shrike to crush the souls of his underlings.
Good for
- Date night
- Family movie night
- Teens
Where to watch
Fingerprint
At a glance
Critics vs audiences
Critics like it more than audiences (+12)
Critics 70Audiences 58GoodWatch 65
Tomatometer70%
IMDb6.6
Audience score49%
Running time
1 h 40 min
A typical length for dramas, −9 min on the typical 109
typical 109100Half of all dramas run 98–125 min.
Reach
Streams in 6 countries, rent or buy in 1 more
Released
1959
March 4, 1959
67 years ago
Genres
DramaRomanceLanguage
English
Original language
Made in
- United States
Academy Awards1959
- Actress in a Supporting Role1959Nominated
Rated
- NRUnited States
Yes: it's rated NR in the United States for strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.
What's in it
- ViolenceLittle or none
- Gore, disturbing imagesLittle or none
- Frightening scenesLittle or none
- Sex, nudityMild
- Dark themesModerate
- Strong languageNamed in the advisories
In white: what the content advisories name. Levels from the title analysis.
Viewing guide
AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensDrop-in FriendlyThought-ProvokingNot listed for kids.
and 14 more22 people
- Montgomery CliftAdam White
- Robert RyanWilliam Shrike
- Myrna LoyFlorence Shrike
- Dolores HartJusty Sargeant
- Maureen StapletonFay Doyle
- Jackie CooganNed Gates
- Mike KellinFrank Goldsmith
- Onslow StevensMr. Lassiter
Frank MaxwellPat Doyle
Frank OvertonMr. Sargeant
John GallaudetJohnny- DWDon WashbrookDon Sargeant
Johnny WashbrookJohnny Sargeant- JWJB WelchCharlie
- MAMary Alan HokansonEdna
- JBJack BlackJerry
Charles FawcettSmitty
Charles WagenheimJoe
Frank RichardsTaxi Driver
Dorothy NeumannMrs. Cannon- RBRalph BrooksDrive-In Theatre Patron
Kenner G. KempElevator Passenger
Directing · 2
- Vincent J. Donehue Director
- Clarence Eurist Assistant Director
Writing · 3
- Dore Schary Screenplay, Producer
- Nathanael West Novel
- Howard Teichmann Theatre Play
Production · 2
- Walter Reilly Associate Producer
- Joel Freeman Production Supervisor
Camera · 1
- John Alton Director of Photography
Editing · 2
- John Faure Editor
- Aaron Stell Editor
Sound · 1
- Conrad Salinger Original Music Composer
Art · 2
- Darrell Silvera Set Decoration
- Serge Krizman Art Direction
Costume & Make-Up · 2
- Angela Alexander Costume Design
- Charles Arrico Costume Design
More like this
Similar
Most like Lonelyhearts overall
Nearest on the related map: closest in everything it does to you, not one trait
- Lola (1961)
GoodWatch score 79 - The Truth (2019)
GoodWatch score 72 - The Roses (2025)
GoodWatch score 64 - Other People (2016)
GoodWatch score 73 - Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974)
GoodWatch score 79 - Alone (2008)
GoodWatch score 62 - Death of a Salesman (1985)
GoodWatch score 85 - Floating Weeds (1959)
GoodWatch score 88 - Anywhere but Here (1999)
GoodWatch score 60 - Venus (2006)
GoodWatch score 77 - One Fine Morning (2022)
GoodWatch score 78 - Stage Door (1937)
GoodWatch score 87 - The Crowd (1928)
GoodWatch score 89 - Olive Kitteridge (2014)
GoodWatch score 84 - Fences (2016)
GoodWatch score 78 - Normal People (2020)
GoodWatch score 82
Same genre
More drama movies
- 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
GoodWatch score 73 - Frankenstein (2025)
GoodWatch score 76 - Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
GoodWatch score 66 - The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026)
GoodWatch score 68 - The Lobster (2015)
GoodWatch score 76 - Romeo + Juliet (1996)
GoodWatch score 64 - Les Misérables (2012)
GoodWatch score 68 - Lucky Number Slevin (2006)
GoodWatch score 64