Checking Out

2005 Comedy

A feisty octogenarian on the verge of his ninetieth birthday invites his three grown children to his upcoming birthday celebration with the explicit understanding that when the festivities end, so does his life, in a dark but light-hearted family comedy directed by Jeff Hare and starring Peter Falk. Morris (Falk) has lived a full life, but now the time has come to end his impressive run. When Morris goes to mortal extremes to reunite his three estranged children, his morbid declaration helps his offspring to realize that, even in old age, the importance of one individual should never be underestimated. David Paymer, Laura San Giacomo, and Judge Reinhold co-star in the one comedy that proves you're never too old to stir up a bit of mischief.

Director: Jeff Hare

Starring: Peter Falk, Laura San Giacomo, David Paymer, Judge Reinhold, Jeffrey D. Sams

Reviews

  • A slight but lightly amusing sitcom-style comedy, strongly recalls dinner theater fodder of three decades ago.

    Joe Leydon - Variety

    19 January 2013

  • Falk is as good as ever and the rest give it their all; you couldn't ask for a better cast, just better material.

    Ken Fox - TV Guide

    19 January 2013

  • Stagy, stiff and marinated in egg cream.

    Jeannette Catsoulis - The New York Times

    19 January 2013

  • The movie's one-star rating is solely for Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who provides eye candy as Morris' film-student granddaughter, Lisa.

    V.A. Musetto - New York Post

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Laura San Giacomo

    Palm Beach International Film Festival (2005)

  • Best Picture

    Phoenix Film Festival (2005)

  • Independent Theatrical Feature Films & Videos - Comedy

    WorldFest Houston (2005)