Checking Out
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
A slight but lightly amusing sitcom-style comedy, strongly recalls dinner theater fodder of three decades ago.
Falk is as good as ever and the rest give it their all; you couldn't ask for a better cast, just better material.
Stagy, stiff and marinated in egg cream.
The movie's one-star rating is solely for Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who provides eye candy as Morris' film-student granddaughter, Lisa.
Laura San Giacomo
Palm Beach International Film Festival (2005)
Best Picture
Phoenix Film Festival (2005)
Independent Theatrical Feature Films & Videos - Comedy
WorldFest Houston (2005)
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