I keep saying that Hollywood can't go wrong when it picks a PLAY as the basis for movies. This film is one more illustration of the correctness of this thesis. It's full of charm, humor, warmth, relevance and STRUCTURE. It doesn't seek to impress, just to please. And pleasing is no mean accomplishment.
The subject is taboo in most movies: economic dependence on relatives. In most movies money is no object, a purely tangential issue, when in fact it plays a huge role in real life. Sinatra plays a "loser", and to make him less despicable, he is adorned with a lovely young son. I find that a bit too manipulative, as if the writer weren't sure that a childless "loser" would be likable enough. Sinatra is very good in the role, but I would have picked an unknown actor, to make the role more believable. And, wonderful as Eddie Hodges always is, I think a childless "loser" would have been more poignant.
I liked the ending very much. It is happy, but not in the trite and trivial way. The main character does NOT overcome his limitations! This film is in the wonderful tradition of "Harvey", which also deals with an embarrassing family member. I can't recommend both films highly enough.
The subject is taboo in most movies: economic dependence on relatives. In most movies money is no object, a purely tangential issue, when in fact it plays a huge role in real life. Sinatra plays a "loser", and to make him less despicable, he is adorned with a lovely young son. I find that a bit too manipulative, as if the writer weren't sure that a childless "loser" would be likable enough. Sinatra is very good in the role, but I would have picked an unknown actor, to make the role more believable. And, wonderful as Eddie Hodges always is, I think a childless "loser" would have been more poignant.
I liked the ending very much. It is happy, but not in the trite and trivial way. The main character does NOT overcome his limitations! This film is in the wonderful tradition of "Harvey", which also deals with an embarrassing family member. I can't recommend both films highly enough.