Looking for Mr. Goodbar (35mm)

A schoolteacher (the late Diane Keaton in one of her most striking performances) living alone spends her evenings frequenting late-night bars and picking up men in this dark complex drama. Unavailable for many years due to music licensing issues, this gritty study of 1970s sexual liberation showcases a tour-de-force central performance from Diane Keaton. Adapted from the 1975 novel of the same name by Judith Rossner, Looking for Mr. Goodbar follows Theresa Dunn (Keaton), a schoolteacher of Deaf children by day and inner-city barfly by night, as she explores her newfound freedom away from her oppressive Catholic family. She navigates mounting drug and alcohol fuelled sexual encounters with the often-dangerous men she meets at bars and discos, pushing her newly found liberation to its limit. Uniquely, Looking for Mr. Goodbar depicts a complex female lead character who makes her own independent foray into late-night, male-dominated spaces in pursuit of an autonomous and thrilling erotic life. But as with other films in the season, Dunn's journey takes her further towards a violent and extreme darkness, culminating in a stark and unforgettable viewing experience. Screening on 35mm.