Mister Buddwing (1966)

In the heart of bustling New York City, a man in an expensive grey suit (James Garner) awakens in Central Park, a bewildered stranger to his own identity. His memory is a blank canvas, extending even to the simplest details such as how he prefers his coffee. His only clues are a crumpled piece of paper with a scribbled phone number, two pills, and a monogrammed ring bearing a broken stone, the initials "G.V" etched into it. He embarks on a jigsaw puzzle of self-discovery, guided by these cryptic symbols of his past. His journey leads him to a mysterious woman linked to the scribbled phone number. Drawing from her interactions and a semblance of familiarity, he adopts the name "Sam Buddwing." As he traverses the city, haunted by a newspaper story and the monogrammed ring, he begins to suspect that he might be an escaped mental patient. Amid the fog of his amnesia, a vision of a young brunette springs to life, triggering memories of a woman named Grace. As the day unfolds, he encounters a series of women, each encounter stirring memories of joy, sorrow, and confusion - all intertwined with this elusive Grace. Every interaction, particularly with a woman who he's certain is not Grace, chips away at the colossal wall of his amnesia. Each fragment revealing glimpses of his life, his love, and the peculiar circumstances that led him to his desolate state in Central Park. Simultaneously, Sam is haunted by a recurring nightmare that echoes the three distinct stages of his marriage. Within his dreams, a collection of unlikely allies, portrayed by Dame Angela Landsbury and Jack Gilford, and a band of Washington Square dwellers, come to his aid, shielding him from a relentless beat cop. Katherine Ross, Suzanne Pleshette, and Jean Simmons breathe life into the character of his wife at different stages of their matrimony. "Mister Buddwing" is a surreal exploration of social issues prevalent in the first half of the 1960s, from birth control and abortion to police corruption. It's a dark character study that deviates from Garner's typical roles, playing on a haunting blend of reality and dreams. The movie's opening and closing shots demand keen attention, encapsulating the essence of this bewildering journey within their final few seconds. Despite Garner's self-proclaimed disdain for the film, it stands as a testament to his versatility, offering viewers a unique and captivating cinematic experience.

Mister Buddwing is a drama movie featuring James Garner.

It is possible to buy Mister Buddwing on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies and YouTube.