Kotch

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Movie Info

Joseph P. "Kotch" Kotcher is an irksome 72-year-old who lives with his son and daughter-in-law. When he learns the family's former babysitter Erica is pregnant, Kotch loans her some money; and when she moves away to Palm Springs, he moves in with her, hoping to be of some use.

Rating:

PG
Genre:

Classics, Comedy, Drama
Directed By:

Jack Lemmon
Written By:

John Paxton
In Theaters:

Sep 17, 1971 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Jul 6, 2004
Runtime:

113 minutes
Studio:

ABC

Cast

Walter Matthau
as Joseph Kotcher

Deborah Winters
as Erica

Felicia Farr
as Wilma

Charles Aidman
as Gerald

Ellen Geer
as Vera

Darrell Larson
as Vincent

Paul Picerni
as Dr. Gaudillo

Donald and Dean Kowalski
as Duncan Ketcher

Lucy Saroyan
as Sissy

Jane Connell
as Miss Roberts

Jessica Rains
as Dr. McKernan

James E. Brodhead
as Weaver

Lawrence Linville
as Peter Herzenstiel

Biff Elliot
as Motel Manager

Dee Carroll
as Dorothy Ballinger

Arlen Stuart
as Mrs. Fisher

Kim Hamilton
as Receptionist

Janya Brannt
as Mrs. Pugh

Penny Santon
as Mrs. Segura

Tamar Cooper
as Nurse

Jack Lemmon
as Stranger on Bus

Amzie Strickland
as Film Narrator

Larry Linville
as Peter

James Brodhead
as Weaver

Paul Fierro
as Fabio

Ralph Roberts
as Blue Scarecrow

View All

Critic Reviews for Kotch

All Critics (8) | Top Critics (2) | DVD (2)

Though only 50 years old when he made the film, Matthau is more than convincing as the doddering Joe Kotcher...

Jun 14, 2018 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Sue Adolphson
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic
There aren't many comic actors I admire more than Matthau, and he does his best to be an old man in Kotch, but the illusion simply isn't there.

Oct 23, 2004 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic
Matthau's warm characterization propels this sweet and earnest movie.

Feb 8, 2019 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
...very slow and very gentle...

Mar 28, 2014 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
Walter Matthau gives a compelling, Oscar-nominated performance as a grumpy old man in this melodrama, the only film star Jack Lemmon directed.

Aug 3, 2012 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Great turn by Walter Matthau in aged makeup, and nicely directed by friend Jack Lemmon.

Jun 21, 2008 | Rating: 5/5

Steve Crum
Video-Reviewmaster.com
By all means, catch Kotch. It's a fine movie.

Nov 20, 2003 | Full Review…

Tony Mastroianni
Cleveland Press

View All Critic Reviews (8)

Audience Reviews for Kotch

Nov 15, 2013

It's very interesting to see Lemmon direct for the first and only time and decide to go with Matthau rather than an aged actor. Matthau of course always looked old but here he sometimes hits the mark and other times doesn't. I wonder if the lukewarm result prompted Lemmon not to direct anything else.

John B Super Reviewer
Nov 09, 2008

Touching film about an aging widower (Walter Matthau) whose contentious relationship with his family won't dampen his love for his infant grandson, or stop him from striking up a friendship with a pregnant, unwed teenage girl for whom he becomes a surrogate grandfather. Jack Lemmon's only film as a director may be a bit scattershot, but with the aid of a gorgeous Marvin Hamlisch score, he goes straight for the heart. Charming in every way.

Matthew L Super Reviewer