Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #59675 in DVD
• Released on: 1998-09-09
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 110 minutes

Amazon.com
Gene Saks, an old hand at directing Neil Simon's work on film (The Odd Couple, Barefoot in the Park), here takes a stab at Simon's most autobiographical work, which stars Jonathan Silverman as an aspiring writer living with two families under one roof in 1937 Brooklyn. Following his old working formula, Saks keeps an eye on the cast's energy and timing but otherwise stays out of the way and lets Simon's story and dialogue tumble wonderfully from the mouths of good actors. Cast in the lead in this 1986 film, the young Silverman (later the star of NBC's Single Guy) makes a very good impression, as does Bob Dishy as his narrator-father. The DVD release has a full-screen presentation. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

A Comedy-Drama Masterpiece
Five stars for the story; four stars for the DVD only because I cannot fathom why - with all the advancing technology and options available - any DVD theatrical release would not be offered in a wide-screen format. Otherwise this has to be the best Neil Simon work I have ever seen. Although I am from a much newer generation, I could identify easily with many of the characters, both from similar personal experiences, and from the culture within which I was raised. I would highly recommend this film, but only to true drama fans (of any age) and to older generations who have lived the times portrayed in this delightful romp. There is mild adult content, so be wary if you allow your young teens to watch. This is one of those rare classics that never received the publicity it deserved on the big screen; but then it can only appeal to a certain audience. If you feel like going out on a limb and watching something different or you want to conjure up old memories of yester-year, then by all means watch this film and enjoy!

Family Fun for all!
I loved this movie. I had to watch it a few times to get the gist of it. But once I did, it became one of my top 10 cult classics. Jonathon Silverman is so funny. Just hearing Blythe Danner scream "Eugene" is enough to make me laugh. This is in the same category with "A Christmas Story" (about the BB gun). I HIGHLY RECCOMEND THIS MOVIE. NEIL SIMON IS A GENIUS. After you watch this movie, see the sequel "Biloxi Blues" with Matthew Broadrick.

A warm and funny portrayal
This film is, without a doubt, one of my favorites. I think the film is well cast, for the most part, and that the chemistry between Danner and Silverman was very genuine in terms of a mother-son relationship. The script is warm and funny and the sets were well done. All in all, I would say that this is a film that any fan of Niel Simon's work should have in their library.