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Nice Guys Sleep Alone (1999)

User reviews

Nice Guys Sleep Alone

34 reviews
7/10

A good find!

Surprisingly funny and heartfelt, this is a nice story about two people who've lost faith in love. The rom-com is set in Kentucky, a refreshing change from the seemingly endless New York- and LA-based films of the same genre. Despite my unfamiliarity with the cast, I thought they were all very strong. A good find!
  • dzlcomedy
  • Dec 14, 2018
  • Permalink
7/10

Had hoped for better but not disappointed

  • lobotomyboy63
  • Dec 4, 2009
  • Permalink
5/10

A fun flick about honesty and the dating game.

"Nice Guys..." tells of a 30-something male school teacher who is frustrated with dating because he follows the rules and always strikes out. Well, almost always. This little "sleeper" offers a fresh, honest, and amusing look at the foibles of first dates, doesn't try to out do itself, and knows when to quit. No blockbuster but an enjoyable watch worth renting.
  • =G=
  • May 21, 2001
  • Permalink

a cute film with beautiful views

This is a cute and quirky film exploring the foibles of the dating scene.

It's an endearing look at the "nice guys" plight as he tries to find the one woman who is willing to be more than "just friends". I found myself cringing in embarressment as I have also probably treated some nice guys with the same friendly indifference. Not only is the story easy to identify with, it is set in the beautiful countryside of Kentucky. I found the cinematography breathtaking, complete with sweeping views of lush rolling hills and stunning horse farms. It's a beautifully shot film and a sweet story that has you rooting for the nice guy all the way!`
  • erinfiskjunk
  • Feb 17, 2003
  • Permalink
7/10

The truth about dating

The best comedy comes from simple truths about life. ‘Nice Guys' captures so many of the essential truths about the dating game that, despite its shortcomings, it is extremely entertaining.

Carter (Sean O'Bryan) is a really nice guy. He is such a nice guy that women are dying to be his friend. At least that is what they all tell him at the end of the first date. Maggie (Sybil Temchen) is a New York veterinarian who is starting over in Louisville, Kentucky working on a thoroughbred horse farm. With the dubious guidance of his best friend, Carter asks Maggie for a date, and the fun begins.

The movie is peppered with vignettes about dating and the games the sexes plays. What makes it funny is that it is all so true, and without much exaggeration. There are quite a few good sight gags and liberal guffaws throughout.

This was a low budget independent production written and directed by Stu Pollard in his first attempt at both. The writing was honest and insightful, but uneven. At times, the dialogue was terrific; sharp, biting humor the captured the essence of this absurd ritual called dating. At other times it was gut wrenching drivel. The same was true of the cinematography. He had some beautiful shots of Kentucky, and then other shots were set up all wrong.

The acting was about what you would expect from third tier actors. Sean O'Bryan was nice enough, but so bland that one might suspect that he was boring his dates into friendship. He did exude great sincerity though, which worked very well with his character. Sybil Temchen was the best actor in the film and seemed very confident in her role. She was strong and self-assured in her role as the vet, but confused and uncertain in dating mode.

Overall, this was a pleasant surprise for a film with untested talent and limited resources. I rated it a 7/10. It is a fun movie with something for just about everyone who has ever been on a date as an adult. At some point you may even find yourself saying, `Yeah, that happened to me too.'
  • FlickJunkie-2
  • Jul 16, 2000
  • Permalink
5/10

Okay entertainment!

This movie is about the pre-dating period. Where people are analyzing each other to see if it is worth while to date after all. I guess everyone can identify with this movie. The nice guy "Carter William Sanderson" Sean O' Bryan (Frankie and Johnny ) is self doubting his own dating strategies. His friend " Pat " Blake Steury thinks that he has all the answers but his advice proves to be wrong but harmless. This movie is funny and I recommend it. Very funny. My favorite scenes: the two friends talking in the horse races. Everyone would like to have friends like that. The group of students watching horses in the stall.
  • macpherr
  • Jan 30, 2001
  • Permalink
1/10

This movie tops the list of the worst films I have ever seen.

Nice Guys Sleep Alone is truly one of the worst pieces of cinema I have ever encountered. It plays heavily on every Kentucky stereotype without the added benefit of humor. I'm not a native to Kentucky, but the director managed to insult my intelligence as well. There were superfluous horse shots to remind us that the movie was indeed filmed in Kentucky. If that were not enough, there were characters drinking Maker's Mark for breakfast while others spent every waking moment (and penny) at the race track. (Not to mention the inbred boy who leaves halfway through the movie to go to a frog gigging contest.)

This movie really did have the potential to be an endearing humorous film. The tale of a strong, independent woman pursued by a charming, "nice guy" and all the pitfalls that ensue could have been entertaining. However, the plot was eclipsed by poor script writing and humorless stereotypes. Initially, I was intrigued by this movie, but after seeing it, I wouldn't even reccomend renting it at the library for free.
  • hrmkelly
  • Nov 26, 1999
  • Permalink
1/10

Nice guys deserve a second chance and so does this film.

I am a reformed Nice Guys viewer. After a little coaxing and a bit of artistic explanation, I was encouraged to give Nice Guys a second chance. I just viewed the movie for a second time and I must admit that it's a pretty charming movie. It's still not the best film I've ever encountered but it's certainly not the worst. There are HIGHLY exaggerated stereotypes of Kentuckians but I can now appreciate them for their comic value. Overall, I have to say my initial impression was off base. Nice Guys Sleep Alone grows on you.
  • hrmkelly
  • Sep 11, 2000
  • Permalink
10/10

Nice movies are worth staying up for

My wife and I rented NICE GUYS SLEEP ALONE, and it was a wonderful surprise--an undiscovered gem that sparkled for both of us. It had winning characters, a story line that was clever without being gimmicky, great dialogue (with a few laugh-out-loud lines), appealing actors who seemed perfectly cast, and production values that were far above the level of the typical small indy film.
  • imboden
  • Oct 14, 2003
  • Permalink
10/10

If your a "nice guy" you must see this movie!!

This movie is great. I saw it on HBO and liked it so much I bought the video and DVD. It's a must see for any "nice guy". Very funny and true to life. One of the best romantic comedies around. Buy it now. Don't wait.
  • quattro-1
  • Jul 17, 2001
  • Permalink

Stu Pollard will cure your laughter jones...

I should qualify this review by saying that Todd Rundgren's song `Can We Still Be Friends?' could have been the soundtrack to my adolescent years (and beyond). I was constantly being told by girls what a `nice guy' I was, and the whooshing noise that accompanied that phrase was the sound of those same girls leaving me to hook up with the closest `dangerous' type at whiplash speed.

So I was prepared to be let down by Stu Pollard's film Nice Guys Sleep Alone. `He won't get it right', said I. `He'll never convey the true essence of what it's like to actually be that guy- that hopelessly romantic, kind of pathetic, basically very nice guy.'

I was wrong. He got it right. Quite.

Nice Guys Sleep Alone is a breath of light-hearted fresh air, and a high-five to all those guys- and gals- that have felt like suckers at one time or another for not being into games. Writer/Director Pollard has created an engaging, heartwarming, and above all, very funny story about love, relationships, and the games people play. His wit and comedic sensibilities are well served by a highly talented cast, and the chemistry and comedy of the characters drew me in instantly. Oh, and I fell in love with Sybil Temchen. Her character, Maggie, and Sean O'Bryan's character Carter are the reason we watch romantic comedies. They're perfect together, and you really want them to work things out.

Pollard also knows a thing or two about what to do behind the camera, which is evident at once. Rumored to have been shot for under $900K, this looks like a multi-million dollar production. Watch the DVD version, and you'll learn that Pollard trimmed the story down substantially in order to quicken the pace and streamline the story. It's a task most directors face, but was probably all the more difficult, having been the screenwriter. But Pollard wanted to serve the story, and the audience. He did just that. Wonderfully.

Nice Guys Sleep Alone is a great movie for anyone looking to feed their laugh-jones. Great for a first date, or a fifteen hundredth, this is a romantic comedy you don't want to miss.
  • martinifan
  • Oct 14, 2003
  • Permalink
9/10

great flick

good film, fun time. the characters were likable, and easy to relate to. the dilemma was certainly identifiable. the humor was fantastic. good quips, through and through, delivered with some solid timing. some of the high school romance was a bit cheesy, but in a good way. the kind that makes you think "oh high-school, how i miss you." the main character is everyone's best friend, or the kind of guy everyone should have for a best friend. he's a class act through and through, and definitely makes for a great protagonist. the support characters are great as well. the best friend is very Randall-like. (clerks reference) and there's nothing like the wise-old-farmhand character to put a lighthearted twist on the drama. anyways, great film, definitely check it out.
  • sinisterministerstudios
  • Nov 2, 2005
  • Permalink

Is it a sign ... or just a movie?

Nice Guys Sleep Alone takes what is wrong about dating and turns it into something funny and very entertaining. "Let's be friends" is that dreaded line that no guy wants to hear. When Sean says that he doesn't need anymore friends ... he was speaking for every guy that has ever been in that position. A very funny movie which everyone would enjoy seeing. And, even learn a little about what life is like being a "nice guy."
  • dannmiller
  • Oct 30, 2001
  • Permalink
10/10

A terrific film for romantic comedy fans and anyone who has been on a bad date.

It all starts with the dreaded phrase - `lets be friends." For anyone who's had their heart sink at these words, "Nice Guys Sleep Alone" is the movie for you. Writer/director Stu Pollard presents a quirky view of dating and game playing in the unusual and lovely setting of Kentucky horse country. Charming and funny, this is a sweet story with some really fun over-the-top characters and scenes. Additions such as attorney Slick Willie and his hilarious Pre-Relationship Agreement, and the hard-drinking Robert, the quintessential `catch' complete with crazed southern-laced French are what make this movie so fun.

There are characters you can't help liking and may possibly recognize, and some parts of the story will hit very close to home for those brave folks on the dating front. Many will readily identify with the well-intentioned but misdirected assistance of friends, and old familiars such as the call waiting trick. `Nice Guys Sleep Alone' is definitely a movie to see and proof positive that good movies are better than a bad date any old time.
  • chellew4
  • Sep 20, 2000
  • Permalink

I found an unexpected delight in this deliciously romantic comedy.

What a charming film! Nice Guys Sleep Alone is a hysterically true-to-life account of the dating games in which we all participate. As a woman who has reviewed The Rules, The Anti-Rules, and the social rituals of Venus and Mars, I found myself laughing with enlightenment and commiseration. Check this one out!
  • kychick74
  • Feb 10, 2003
  • Permalink
9/10

Pretty good flick on the horrors of dating.

I had the privilege of screening this film at the Texas Film Festival and found it to be a funny little movie about the perils of being nice. Well written, fairly well acted and pretty original (no small feat in the date movie market), I found it to be a very enjoyable film. Not Lawrence of Arabia, but still worth seeing. Great scene involving a pre-relationship agreement
  • adrienneee
  • Feb 26, 2000
  • Permalink
9/10

Very entertaining and funny, feel like I've been this guy before...

A lighthearted film that plays very well, and never seems to drag. Beautifully shot in the Kentucky horse country. Some touching and emotional moments interlaced with just the right amount of comedy. Every normal guy will have the thought, "I've been there...", at least once in the movie. For once a film that tugs at your emotions without using a firearm or an explosion.

It is even a bit "educational" at one point, but you will have to look quickly because you'll probably be laughing so hard
  • rctoy
  • Aug 18, 1999
  • Permalink
9/10

A delightful, funny film that deserves a wider distribution.

This movie is deliciously funny because so many of us can relate to the perils of dating. I really enjoyed this film, which is set in my home town of Louisville, KY. The well-meaning, but totally off-base, friend is the best part of the film. The scene in the park is hilarious, and the part that showed a Kentucky horse farm in "action" had me rolling in the aisle. However, I was a little disturbed by the stereotypes of southern women. I know it was purely for comic effect (and it was funny), but I've lived in Louisville all my life and I've never met these women. Overall, I hope that this film will be more widely distributed. It deserves a larger audience. I've seen many big budget films that weren't nearly as good. Stu Pollard has done a great job with this one.
  • cheese-20
  • Oct 15, 1999
  • Permalink
8/10

Lots of laughs, great insight into games couples play.

Stu Pollard is an independent film maker who presents a quality product, good cast, good film quality - and lots of laughs. Definitely rent Nice Guys Sleep Alone if you are looking for a pleasant evening. This movie reminds us that it is a shame that big theaters don't give us access to the creative works of independent film makes.
  • anewcomer
  • Aug 9, 2000
  • Permalink
10/10

A great Date movie! A Must see

This was one of the most entertaining movies about dating I have seen. I couldn't stop laughing! Stu Pollard did a fantastic job focusing on the humor and hardships of dating. I have rented the movie several times and told everyone I know about it. It is truly a must see movie. The movie has a great ensemble of actors, Vanesa Marcil, from General Hospital, Morgan Fairchild, several up and coming stars and many great extras from Georgetown University. Make sure this is the next movie you rent>
  • tyler-26
  • Oct 26, 2000
  • Permalink
10/10

Excellent date movie

Stu Pollard did a wonderful job of portraying the ups and downs of dating and life in general. Using the backdrop of Louisville and the horse racing industry made the cinematography beautiful!! Everyone should read the "dating contract" before venturing into their next relationship. :) Five stars for this movie!!!!!!!
  • deckmm
  • Apr 18, 2001
  • Permalink
9/10

The ultimate nice guy changes his strategy to find true love.

A great date movie. Unlike most gimmicky romantic comedies, this one is sweet and truly funny and feels real. The entire cast does a nice job portraying characters that are real people and that you can relate to. The horse breeding scene is not to be missed!
  • Boyd-13
  • Mar 14, 2000
  • Permalink
8/10

There's Still Hope!

If you're single or even if you're not, you might like this charming low budget "relationship" yarn. Set in decidedly un-hollywood Louisville KY, the complex and troubling dynamics of modern day courting is addressed in a funny yet understanding manner by Director Stu Pollard, who had the good sense to avoid looking at dating ( as Hollywood is apt to do) as if it only takes place in LA or New York. Carter (Sean O'Brien)is a nice guy (maybe too nice) high school teacher who has been told by his dates "Lets just be friends.." once too often. Maggie (Sybil Temchen, is she the voice of Jane Lane on MTV's "Daria"?) is a race horse vet recently from NY who has been jerked by men in much the same way. Though they have the chemistry right off, Carter's slippery buddy complicates matters. This film is a charmer.
  • max86
  • Aug 8, 1999
  • Permalink
10/10

I can't imagine a better movie to accompany the consumption of a bottle of bourbon.

A great, fun movie with real characters and witty biting dialogue. It provides a new perspective on dating in a setting outside of the hustle and bustle of cities like Los Angeles and New York. Quite an accomplishment for a first-time filmmaker.
  • ck3
  • Aug 18, 1999
  • Permalink
10/10

A rare film with style and substance

In a society of mouth-breathers and knuckle-draggers who think that "Fear Factor" and "Joe Millionaire" are high art, NGSA is a refreshing and much-welcomed film.

I mean, let's face it: if you give most women a choice between a confident, intelligent, honest man, and a man who is weak, dumb, and unfaithful, most women will choose the latter. After all, jerks are "exciting" and a "challenge." However, Maggie (Sybil Temchen) has matured enough to appreciate a good guy, Carter (Sean O'Bryan). At the same time, Carter has decided that it's time to be a "bad boy," thinking that women will begin to respect and appreciate him.

All in all, it's a funny, smart, and thought-provoking movie that will appeal to those who understand the difficulty of dating in the real world (in other words, people who don't watch "Friends" and soap operas).

Very highly recommended. Also stars Vanessa Marcil.
  • mikewiethorn
  • Apr 21, 2003
  • Permalink

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