

1963·Comedy·1h 42m
7.1
★













Angie Rossini, an innocent New York City sales clerk from a repressive Italian-American family, engages in a short-lived affair with a handsome jazz musician named Rocky Papasano. When Angie becomes pregnant, she tracks down Rocky hoping he'll pay for her abortion.
Directed by Robert Mulligan
new york city
italian american
jazz singer or musician
unwanted pregnancy
abortion

Trailer

IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch



Cast

Natalie Wood
Angie Rossini

Steve McQueen
Rocky Papasano

Edie Adams
Barbie

Herschel Bernardi
Dominick Rossini

Anne Hegira
Beetie

Harvey Lembeck
Julio Rossini

Penny Santon
Mama Rossini

Virginia Vincent
Anna

Nina Varela
Mrs. Columbo

Marilyn Chris
Gina

Augusta Ciolli
Mrs. Papasano

Wolfe Barzell
The Priest
Crew

Robert Mulligan
Director

Elmer Bernstein
Original Music Composer

Milton Krasner
Director of Photography

Alan J. Pakula
Producer

Robert Mulligan
Producer

Wally Westmore
Makeup Supervisor

Sam Comer
Set Decoration

Edith Head
Costume Design
Popular Reviews
25 reviews
A
7.0★ · 04/18/26

Second Favorite Romance Movie. The ending was cimena ldk how explain it.
Second Favorite Romance Movie. The ending was cimena ldk how explain it.
L. Hepinstall
6.0★ · 03/20/26

Somehow the poor Natalie wood and the cocky macqueen have better chemistry than signing in the rain, yet the direction and acting was not that good. HOWEVER it’s refreshing seeing actors act in a way that is taboo nowadays, it’s old, dramatic, explosive and in a way erotic. I think that is a very good way to put this movie.
like I would’ve acted just like my girl here if my bd was Steve McQueen, this movie is so hot.
like I would’ve acted just like my girl here if my bd was Steve McQueen, this movie is so hot.
Somehow the poor Natalie wood and the cocky macqueen have better chemistry than signing in the rain, yet the direction and acting was not that good. HOWEVER it’s refreshing seeing actors act in a way that is taboo nowadays, it’s old, dramatic, explosive and in a way erotic. I think that is a very good way to put this movie.
like I would’ve acted just like my girl here if my bd was Steve McQueen, this movie is so hot.
like I would’ve acted just like my girl here if my bd was Steve McQueen, this movie is so hot.
Lucas Ernstberger
8.0★ · 01/01/26

Despite the rushed ending, I quite liked this one. This had solid lead performances and some very good B&W cinematography. Also, despite what Amazon prime tells you, this is not a comedy.
Despite the rushed ending, I quite liked this one. This had solid lead performances and some very good B&W cinematography. Also, despite what Amazon prime tells you, this is not a comedy.
Addie Pray
8.0★ · 10/07/25

At some point during the film, Steve McQueen goes “how you doin’?” in a strong New Yorker accent and I was like “was that who Joey from Friends was trying to embody (to an annoying extent) for ten whole seasons?”
What a sweet little film. This is going on the Obsessive Rewatch list I need to actually make soon.
What a sweet little film. This is going on the Obsessive Rewatch list I need to actually make soon.
At some point during the film, Steve McQueen goes “how you doin’?” in a strong New Yorker accent and I was like “was that who Joey from Friends was trying to embody (to an annoying extent) for ten whole seasons?”
What a sweet little film. This is going on the Obsessive Rewatch list I need to actually make soon.
What a sweet little film. This is going on the Obsessive Rewatch list I need to actually make soon.
hQ0105
7.0★ · 08/29/25

There’s something about it that just screams fall to me, so it’s my official fall season opener this year.
For some reason, I expected it to be more of a social drama (despite its title — so that’s on me), but it actually feels more like a pretty good, witty romcom.
Love with a Proper Stranger started off really progressive in the beginning and even into the middle, but by the end, it felt like love was with an extremely improper stranger. I really enjoyed about two-thirds of the film — Natalie Wood absolutely carried it, the black-and-white New York looks amazing through Robert Mulligan's lens, so I’m just choosing to treat it as a cautionary tale.
For some reason, I expected it to be more of a social drama (despite its title — so that’s on me), but it actually feels more like a pretty good, witty romcom.
Love with a Proper Stranger started off really progressive in the beginning and even into the middle, but by the end, it felt like love was with an extremely improper stranger. I really enjoyed about two-thirds of the film — Natalie Wood absolutely carried it, the black-and-white New York looks amazing through Robert Mulligan's lens, so I’m just choosing to treat it as a cautionary tale.
There’s something about it that just screams fall to me, so it’s my official fall season opener this year.
For some reason, I expected it to be more of a social drama (despite its title — so that’s on me), but it actually feels more like a pretty good, witty romcom.
Love with a Proper Stranger started off really progressive in the beginning and even into the middle, but by the end, it felt like love was with an extremely improper stranger. I really enjoyed about two-thirds of the film — Natalie Wood absolutely carried it, the black-and-white New York looks amazing through Robert Mulligan's lens, so I’m just choosing to treat it as a cautionary tale.
For some reason, I expected it to be more of a social drama (despite its title — so that’s on me), but it actually feels more like a pretty good, witty romcom.
Love with a Proper Stranger started off really progressive in the beginning and even into the middle, but by the end, it felt like love was with an extremely improper stranger. I really enjoyed about two-thirds of the film — Natalie Wood absolutely carried it, the black-and-white New York looks amazing through Robert Mulligan's lens, so I’m just choosing to treat it as a cautionary tale.