Watch The First Nine Months are the Hardest

The First Nine Months are the Hardest is a 1971 romantic comedy directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Dick Van Dyke, James Farentino, and Michele Lee. The film explores the struggles of a middle-aged married couple, both of whom work demanding jobs and are struggling with balancing their careers with their personal lives. The film opens with Van Dyke's character, Grady, a successful advertising executive, facing a mid-life crisis. Feeling disconnected from his wife and career, he impulsively decides to quit his job and start his own business. This decision, however, puts a significant strain on his already strained marriage. Meanwhile, Lee's character, Katie, is a successful fashion designer who is struggling to juggle her career with the demands of motherhood. As the couple navigates the challenges of parenthood and entrepreneurship, they must also confront their own personal demons, including Grady's fear of commitment and Katie's lingering feelings for her ex-boyfriend, played by Farentino. The movie's humorous and heartwarming portrayal of their struggles and triumphs provides a relatable portrait of the ups and downs of modern marriage and family life. Throughout the film, Van Dyke delivers a standout performance as the charming and comically hapless Grady. His natural charisma and comedic timing make him a joy to watch on screen, and his chemistry with Lee is palpable. Lee, for her part, brings a depth and vulnerability to Katie that makes her character's struggles feel all the more relatable. Farentino, meanwhile, delivers a memorable turn as Katie's ex, Chris. Their scenes together crackle with tension and chemistry, adding a welcome layer of complexity to the film's portrayal of love and marriage. At its core, The First Nine Months are the Hardest is a heartwarming and relatable film that explores the challenges of marriage, parenthood, and entrepreneurship in a way that is both funny and touching. With its all-star cast and irresistible charm, it's no wonder that this romantic comedy has remained a beloved classic for nearly 50 years.