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No consensus yet.
All Critics (12) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (3)
A consistently happy comedic fable which should please romanticists drawn to a teaming of Neil Simon, Marsha Mason and Herbert Ross. Mar 26, 2009 | Full Review…
A consistently happy comedic fable which should please romanticists drawn to a teaming of Neil Simon, Marsha Mason and Herbert Ross.
Variety Staff
Simon's gift also is his downfall. He's so good at writing lightweight dialogue that it all begins to sound the same. Oct 23, 2004 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
Simon's gift also is his downfall. He's so good at writing lightweight dialogue that it all begins to sound the same.
Roger Ebert
There are certainly some questionable ingredients to the story, but you're not likely to notice them while the film is under way. You're likely to be laughing. Aug 30, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/5
There are certainly some questionable ingredients to the story, but you're not likely to notice them while the film is under way. You're likely to be laughing.
Janet Maslin
A clumsy, heavy film, its most profoundly expressed emotion is greed. Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…
A clumsy, heavy film, its most profoundly expressed emotion is greed.
Dave Kehr
This sentimental outing was written by Neil Simon and stars Marsha Mason as Nora, a single parent trying to raise her son Michael (Matthew Broderick). Oct 26, 2011 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
This sentimental outing was written by Neil Simon and stars Marsha Mason as Nora, a single parent trying to raise her son Michael (Matthew Broderick).
Comic, clever, and satisfying fairy tale of redemption. Dec 30, 2010 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Comic, clever, and satisfying fairy tale of redemption.
Renee Schonfeld
Crowd-pleasing domestic comedy that's based on a Neil Simon screenplay. Jun 15, 2010 | Rating: B- | Full Review…
Crowd-pleasing domestic comedy that's based on a Neil Simon screenplay.
Dennis Schwartz
A delightful comic fantasy. Sep 29, 2005 | Rating: 4/5
A delightful comic fantasy.
Chuck O'Leary
...entertaining throughout... Jul 8, 2005 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
...entertaining throughout...
David Nusair
Delivers some trickle-down emotional benefits. Aug 19, 2004 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Delivers some trickle-down emotional benefits.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Ross directs competently and the cast could not be bettered. May 24, 2003 | Full Review…
Ross directs competently and the cast could not be bettered.
Film4 Staff
A great family comedy drama, again with the cute young Broderick, I loved this movie, it's charming. Oh, and just so you don't get confused like I did, this movie isn't a sequel to anything.
Super Reviewer
Charming fable. Jaon Robards is irresistible as the wandering dad.
A real charming movie from 1983. What would you do if someone suddenly gave you everything you ever wanted. That's what happens when Nora's long estranged father Max shows up on her doorstep one rainy night carrying a satchel filled with $687,000. Max only has 6 months left to live, and wants to give Nora, a struggling schoolteacher, and her young son Michael, all the luxuries he can in the time he has left. The problem is, the money Max has, he stole from a casino he worked at in Vegas. To further complicate matters, Nora has just started dating Kevin, who is a police detective. Bestowed with amazing gifts, from new appliances, to a brand new Mercedes, to a completely refurbished house, Nora tries to hide her father's identity, and explain away her seemingly new found wealth. Jason Robards gives a poignant performance as Max, a lifelong ne'er do well, who tries to make things right with his family. Marsha Mason is charming and hilarious as the put upon Nora. Kiefer Sutherland is solid as the police detective torn between his feelings for Nora, and the nagging feeling he has that all is not as it appears with her. The movie features Matthew Broderick, in his film debut, as Nora's son Michael, a kid who hits the jackpot, and doesn't see his mother's problem with taking what Max is giving them. It's a very Frank Capra-esque fantasy, that showcases the fantasy that everyone who struggles with everyday life would feel if their ship suddenly came in. A feel good movie if there ever was one, it's also the screen debut of 24's Keifer Sutherland.
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