Sadly Over-hyped

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Leisurely-paced, remarkably sweet and entertaining character study about an elderly Irish codger in Florida striking up an uneasy friendship with a retired Cuban barber. Not especially original or revealing, but wonderfully acted and directed, with a beautiful sense of atmosphere. Written by 21-year-old Steve Conrad, whose natural-flowing dialogue and character development admirably shucks a formulaic pattern. In the leads, Robert Duvall and Richard Harris prove to be a striking screen match (at times, they may struggle with their characters' overall make-up, yet they create genuine people--not caricatures); Shirley MacLaine is also fine in a supporting role (in her book, "Thank My Lucky Stars", MacLaine gives hint this film wasn't a positive experience, though you wouldn't guess it from the end results or from MacLaine's excellent performance). Sandra Bullock also shines as a waitress. Not a blockbuster or a career watermark for anyone, but a gentle, moving film that leaves a thoughtful trace of its passion for life behind. *** from ****

I saw this film by chance, was working at home with the TV humming, and it caught my attention. Didn't do much work! It's a great piece of acting, Duvall is amazing as an old Cuban bachelor, and Harris is very touching as a lonely retired sailor (oops sorry... captain!). MacLaine has a smaller part, but acts it perfectly, with a classy economy of emotions. They all fit their characters like gloves.The whole film is a quite little masterpiece, and extremely emotional. Couldn't stop the tear flow ;o) I'm rushing to see what else that director did, Randa Haines. Not surprised this film was directed by a woman, it's got that light yet deep emotional quality...Another excellent aspect of this film is the way the atmosphere is depicted. You can feel the heat, and laid back lifestyle of... wherever it's taking place... Miami? A superb sound track, Cuban Son, helps a lot too.Great film to see if you're in a thoughtful mood, and if you're looking for something else than action blockbusters.

This is a great movie, and the critic's plot summary doesn't come close to helping you decide whether or not to watch it. It's NOT a tear jerker either. With this cast you're obviously not watching any rookies or male actors lost in their macho. Every character in this movie is played superbly, and becomes so real, that you can't help but feel like you are right in the middle of a slice of life in a little town on the coast of Florida.Robert Duval (Walter) is a retired Cuban gentleman, Richard Harris (Frank) is a lonely, crusty retired sailor. Each lives alone, without any family around. They meet in the park at Franks' unwelcome prompting, and with some real reluctance on Walter's part. Shirley McClaine (Coonie) is the divorced motel landlord where Frank lives, and they go toe to toe over one issue after another, occasionally over a little Irish whiskey, including whether or not she'll let Frank get his hands on her. Sandra Bullock (Elaine) is Walter's favorite waitress at the Sweetwater Cafe, and they exchange fond jabs each time he comes around. Piper Lorie is a self respecting single lady, on whom Frank clumsily works his flawed romanatic magic in their town's only movie house.At the center of this light drama is the unlikely and rocky friendship developing between Frank and Walter. With the backdrop of a laid back little coastal town, and moving to wonderful cuban music and rhythms, each one of the characters and relationships unfolds a little at a time, and begin to cross over one another. Just as you get to know people in your life a little at a time, these folks become more and more themselves as the story unfolds.The timing, setting, filming, music, and subtleties of the characters and the script work beautifully so that you fall right into it all.The ending is tender, wistful, and the characters just seem to go their own way. This is like that book you read, where halfway through you started dreading the last few pages.

In memory of the great actor, Richard Harris, I had my own little film festival.....starting with Juggernaut and Camelot and ending with this one. He and Robert Duvall do a remarkable job of showing the joys and evils of aging, complete with forgetful son. For those of us on the same road (and who is not), this is a nice walk down pre-memory lane (shades of 'Minority Report').Harris and Duvall both play understated roles, although I am inclined to think the boozing memories of Harris may be drawn from real life. Duvall plays against type as a retiring, modest, withdrawn Cuban barber, and the loving break-up they have is as heart-breaking a scene as you will ever see. Their loneliness is made so palpable, it reaches out from the screen and grabs you.For us women, the work of Piper Laurie and Shirley MacLaine are also reminders of how we age. I wish they had put a movie with the young Piper Laurie in it up on the screen, instead of one of her contemporaries. She was acting as though she were still a beautiful young coquette, which was not sad, or demeaning but really cute. Shirley does a great acting job, as she re-lives the drunken abuse of her husband at the hands of a drunken Harris....yet reaches out to him as he falters and realizes the constraints of age.Certainly a great way to leave the scene of the living. I strongly suggest it to you.