I simply love this movie. I was either cracking up or smiling at the large majority of this movie. I hate to say it, but this is the best movie I've seen Walter Matthau in. I've seen "The Odd Couple," "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three," "The Bad News Bears," "Buddy Buddy," and "Grumpy Old Men," and those are all charming movies in their own right, but I think this movie is special.
Walter Matthau plays a 91-year-old man of shifting name and background that all center around socialism, communism, and fighting capitalism. He is there to help the common man no matter what role he must assume to do it. He's never the same person two days in a row and his daughter, Clara (Amy Irving), is somehow always wrapped up into his shenanigans. His favorite ear is Midge Carter (Ossie Davis), who is a near-blind building superintendent just trying to hold onto his job until Christmas. Midge can't get away from the multi-faced Matthau character, and it is too funny. Everyday Midge resolves himself not to speak to his park bench companion because of his lies, and everyday he falls for yet another lie.
On some levels their existence is sad: being old, forgotten, victims, irrelevant, invisible. On other levels their existence is hilarious: the liberty, the antics--and the hilarity seems to triumph over the sadness. Truly, the movie is about dealing with old age--do you fight it, do you accept it? "I'm Not Rappaport" isn't about a last hurrah, grand schemes, or miraculous accomplishments by a couple of old guys. It's not "Cocoon," "Batteries Not Included," or "Tough Guys." It is very realistic in its depiction which makes it so endearing. I don't want to say it's my favorite geriatrics movie because I liked the movie "Remember" (2015) better, but it is definitely in my top five.
Walter Matthau plays a 91-year-old man of shifting name and background that all center around socialism, communism, and fighting capitalism. He is there to help the common man no matter what role he must assume to do it. He's never the same person two days in a row and his daughter, Clara (Amy Irving), is somehow always wrapped up into his shenanigans. His favorite ear is Midge Carter (Ossie Davis), who is a near-blind building superintendent just trying to hold onto his job until Christmas. Midge can't get away from the multi-faced Matthau character, and it is too funny. Everyday Midge resolves himself not to speak to his park bench companion because of his lies, and everyday he falls for yet another lie.
On some levels their existence is sad: being old, forgotten, victims, irrelevant, invisible. On other levels their existence is hilarious: the liberty, the antics--and the hilarity seems to triumph over the sadness. Truly, the movie is about dealing with old age--do you fight it, do you accept it? "I'm Not Rappaport" isn't about a last hurrah, grand schemes, or miraculous accomplishments by a couple of old guys. It's not "Cocoon," "Batteries Not Included," or "Tough Guys." It is very realistic in its depiction which makes it so endearing. I don't want to say it's my favorite geriatrics movie because I liked the movie "Remember" (2015) better, but it is definitely in my top five.