Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing (1973): Cast & Plot
Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing is a 1973 romantic drama directed by Alan J. Pakula, starring Emiliano Redondo as The Spanish Gentleman, Timothy Bottoms and May Heatherly. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 50m (110 min)
- Director
- Alan J. Pakula
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Gus Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing About?
The premise of Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
While cycling through the rolling Spanish countryside, Walter, the idle son of a doctor, bumps into Lila—a proper, middle‑aged woman who is both clumsy and secretive. Captivated, Walter quickly falls for her, though Lila remains hesitant and resists his affection, setting up a delicate, unbalanced romance.
Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing Themes & Keywords
· 31 tags- duke
- jealous lover
- spanish castle
- terminal illness
- spanish culture
- rental car
- tour bus
- spanish dancer
- asthma
- older woman younger man relationship
- teenage boy
- writer
+19 more Show fewer
- jealousy
- spain
- thirty something
- vacation
- tourist
- bus
- bus tour
- bicycle
- teenage boy rides a bicycle
- spinster
- lovers reunited
- shyness
- father son relationship
- teacher
- dying
- freeze frame
- wedding
- spanish
- peasant
Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing Cast & Characters
Emiliano Redondo leads the cast as The Spanish Gentleman, with Timothy Bottoms as Walter Elbertson and May Heatherly as Melanie Elbertson. Directed by Alan J. Pakula; 11 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Alan J. Pakula
- Emiliano Redondo as The Spanish Gentleman
-
Timothy Bottoms as Walter Elbertson - May Heatherly as Melanie Elbertson
- Margaret Modlin as Mrs. Elbertson
Also Starring in Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing
· 7 more- Maggie Smith Lila Fisher
- Jaime de Mora y Aragón The Duke
- Elmer Modlin Dr. Edelheidt
- Patricia Wright Woman on Bus (uncredited)
- Andrés Monreal Tourist Guide
- Charles Baxter Dr. Elbertson
- Lloyd Brimhall Carl
More from Alan J. Pakula
More films directed by Alan J. Pakula, best-rated first: All the President's Men, Klute, Sophie's Choice and The Sterile Cuckoo.
Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing Plot Summary
What happens in Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Walter Elbertson [Timothy Bottoms] is a young, shy asthmatic who lacks direction and confidence about his future. His father hopes a biking holiday in Spain will spark some spirit in him, but the journey soon reveals Walter’s struggle with his asthma. The exertion of the ride becomes torturous, and he falls behind the rest of the group as the miles roll by under a bright Spanish sun.
Lila Fisher [Maggie Smith] travels through Spain by bus, carrying her own quiet unease. She’s socially wary, tends to keep to herself, and even a lighthearted Spaniard’s bird-noise chorus unsettles her. Her bus route and Walter’s bike trip begin to intersect in a way neither expects, setting the stage for an unlikely connection to form.
Full summary
The whole story of Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing, scene by scene
Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing.
How Well Do You Know Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays Walter Elbertson?
Seen Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing?
Movies Like Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Valley of Love, Book of Love and How to Be a Latin Lover.
Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing?
Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).
When was Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing released?
Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing was released on April 19, 1973.
Who directed Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing?
Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing was directed by Alan J. Pakula.
More films by Alan J. Pakula Who is in the cast of Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing?
Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing stars Emiliano Redondo as The Spanish Gentleman, Timothy Bottoms as Walter Elbertson and May Heatherly as Melanie Elbertson, among 11 credited actors.
Does Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing have a post-credit scene?
No. Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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