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Melvin and Howard

Play trailer Poster for Melvin and Howard R 1980 1h 35m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
When luckless dreamer Melvin Dummar (Paul Le Mat) rescues a grizzled, half-dead man (Jason Robards) from the desert, he's skeptical of the man's claim that he's actually reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. But in the wake of Hughes' death a decade later, a will appears naming Melvin the recipient of $156 million, and a media circus ensues. Accused of forgery, Melvin vigorously maintains his innocence despite a strong intuition that he'll never see any of the money.
Melvin and Howard

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A spirited character study and clear-eyed treatise of the American Dream, Melvin and Howard hits the jackpot with its lovable cast and director Jonathan Demme's humanism.

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Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker Sep 12, 2023
Melvin and Howard has the same beautiful, dippy warmth as its characters. Go to Full Review Tim Pulleine Sight & Sound Jul 11, 2018
Affectionately good-humoured as much of the observation is... the film's eye is, if never savage, then sometimes at least moderately scathing. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Oct 23, 2004
3.5/4
Robards is a chillingly effective Hughes. But this movie belongs to Paul Le Mat, as Dummar. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Mar 16, 2022
3/4
...striking, engrossing... Go to Full Review Larry Vitacco Philadelphia Gay News May 27, 2020
3/4
Tak Fujimoto's photography and Craig McKay's editing are without fault. Go to Full Review Pat Padua Spectrum Culture Aug 28, 2018
Hypnotic shots of asphalt echo Two-Lane Blacktop, Easy Rider and other American road movies while forging its own human path - not of counterculture, but of connection. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Scott R @ScottR Dec 20, 2025 NYT 1000 films. I’m not sure if I fully grasp the critique of the American Dream implications here, but this was entertaining despite the pain you could feel with the frittering away of small gains. The true story aspect was also fascinating and involvement of the NV and UT communities. Saw on YouTube. See more Vincent S. @Vin_E_At_The_Movies Aug 25, 2025 An American classic that started the genius of Jonathan Demme! See more thiago s @Thiagostone Jul 27, 2025 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 22, 2025 Funny in 1 hour and 35 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Geke g @RT40239519 Aug 5, 2024 As good as The ghost by Mel Gibson See more Munkhchimeg T @RT64187897 Aug 5, 2024 Really nice movie. The 80s vibe is so good. Best movie See more Read all reviews
Melvin and Howard

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Cast & Crew

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Jonathan Demme

Director

Paul Le Mat

Melvin Dummar

Jason Robards

Howard Hughes

Mary Steenburgen

Lynda Dummar

Jack Kehoe

Jim Delgado

Pamela Reed

Bonnie Dummar

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Melvin and Howard

Melvin and Howard (1980) Melvin and Howard (1980) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When luckless dreamer Melvin Dummar (Paul Le Mat) rescues a grizzled, half-dead man (Jason Robards) from the desert, he's skeptical of the man's claim that he's actually reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. But in the wake of Hughes' death a decade later, a will appears naming Melvin the recipient of $156 million, and a media circus ensues. Accused of forgery, Melvin vigorously maintains his innocence despite a strong intuition that he'll never see any of the money.
Director
Jonathan Demme
Producer
Art Linson, Don Phillips
Screenwriter
Bo Goldman
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 19, 1980, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Mar 9, 2004
Runtime
1h 35m
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