★ 6 / 10
Kotch' (Walter Matthau) is a doting grandfather who
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'Kotch' (Walter Matthau) is a doting grandfather who lives with his son 'Gerald' (Charles Aidman), his wife 'Wilma' (Felicia Farr) and their young son 'Duncan'…
'Kotch' (Walter Matthau) is a doting grandfather who lives with his son 'Gerald' (Charles Aidman), his wife 'Wilma' (Felicia Farr) and their young son 'Duncan' (Donald Kowalski) whose antics are frequently the cause of his troubles. Meantime, his daughter-in-law hires the young 'Erica' (Deborah Winters) to do some childminding and of course, grandpa doesn't approve. It's whilst he is doing some illicit snooping of his own, he discovers that she and her boyfriend aren't being very discreet - but how can he alert 'Gerald' without admitting he was where he never ought to have been? 'Wilma' has had enough of her father-in-law and so reluctantly her husband decides it's time for the shared dining room and chintz curtains for his father, but 'Kotch' is no fool and managing to bamboozle the psychologist he decides that maybe it is time to take a trip of his own. It's on that journey that he encounters 'Erica' again, only now she is pregnant and down on her luck. He decides to rent a home and offer her his housekeeper's job and so the scene is now set for the two to share a home and some escapades as the arrival of baby 'Chris' looms large. There always was some screen magic between Matthau and Jack Lemmon, and with the latter this time behind the camera and Matthau perfecting the role of the shrewd old gent, this flows along amiably if not entirely convincingly for almost two hours. That said it's duration is probably it's biggest problem as though there are undoubtedly some comical and poignant scenes and it does raise issues around the compartmentalisation of the aged, it hasn't really enough by way of characterisation to sustain it. Matthau does work well with Winters, but aside from that there is a lot here that feels contrived and just a little cringmaking to watch. I felt the conclusion quite fitting, if a little sad, but left feeling just a bit underwhelmed by the whole thing.
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★ 7 / 10
Matthau and Lemmon Team-Up Again For a Matthau Star-Vehicle
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In Kotch (1971), Walter Matthau plays the title character, Joseph P. Kotcher, a retired senior citizen, who finds out, that his family wants him to move to an…
In Kotch (1971), Walter Matthau plays the title character, Joseph P. Kotcher, a retired senior citizen, who finds out, that his family wants him to move to an old-folks home, so he sets out onto a road-trip to get away. He befriends a young, pregnant woman, who he helps navigate, the tough road to birth. Larry Linville, a year before MASH (1972-1983), in a brief performance, plays one of the pivotal characters in Kotch (1971). He is the brother (Peter) and guardian, of Deborah Winters', pregnant-teen character, Erica Herzenstiel. In order for Erica, while pregnant, to achieve certain financial benchmarks, that she needs in her life, she has to get Peter's approval. You know, important stuff, like medical bills and the rent, money, which Kotch lends to her, while he helps her learn how to breathe. Kotch (1971), was nominated for four Oscars, including the Best Actor Oscar for Matthau.
This film is obviously a star-vehicle for Matthau. It is definitely his show. All popular actors in Hollywood, get film projects, that are movies about one central character. Films, that are cast with those popular actors, along with a bunch of other secondary, less-popular, character actors. Probably the next popular actor in Kotch (1971), is Charles Aidman, who plays Kotch's son, Gerald. Some viewers may know Aidman, but no one under the age of 35 would know him. Aidman didn't do many movies, but you may recognize him from his extensive television career. Kotch (1971), was an interesting departure for Walter Matthau, compared to the more, normal type-of roles he does. It is a very subtle story with very subtle performances. The film needed more energy. There are moments in the film, that could accidentally, put some viewers to sleep.
Kotch (1971), is a light-hearted comedy-drama, in the fact, that it isn't a brutal, knock-down, type-of story. It doesn't try to hit you with huge comedy moments and it doesn't try to give you a downer of a drama. It's just a film about, mostly normal people, doing mostly normal things in life. It is a fitting story for director Jack Lemmon, who has acted in dozens of films like this. The music by Marvin Hamlisch, was also nominated for an Oscar. You can clearly tell its his soundtrack too. The 1970s feel of Kotch (1971), is great, especially with that classic, gritty 1970s film-stock. It has that classic subtle feeling of old Hollywood, combined with the strength of modern cinema, which was what 1970s cinema was all about. The dawn of modern cinema. I only wish the film had a faster pace and more energy.
PMTM Grade: 6.5 (C-) = 7 IMDB.
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