Max Dugan Returns (1983)

“I have to go. I have to live my life. I have to appear calm and intelligent, I am dating a person. We will discuss this when I get home.” – Nora McPhee

Number of Times Seen – Numerous times (Theater, cable, 4 Aug 2013)

Brief Synopsis – A widow and her son’s lives are turned upside-down when her estranged father returns for a visit.

My Take on it – As a kid, I recall seeing this movie in the theater and being completely enthralled by it.  I subsequently saw it many times on cable in the years following.

Niel Simon has always been one of my favorite writers, he has a way of melding comedy and drama in a way that very few writer or play writers have been able to do.

My favorites have to be Brighton Beach Memoirs (1985) and Biloxi Blues (1988) , The Sunshine Boys (1976) and of course The Odd Couple (1968).

This is another example of a movie that perhaps I shouldn’t have re-watched because as much as I enjoyed it, my childhood memories of it were so much better.

Funny sidenote. As a kid, I thought this was a sequel and always was interested in seeing Max Dugan. 🙂

Bottom Line – Liked it much better when I saw it in the 80’s. Simon’s dialogue is as good as ever.

Rating – BAFTA Worthy