
Wanting to avoid settling in a nursing home, Joseph Kotcher, a retired salesman, is obliged to leave his son's family. He embarks on a road trip during which he strikes up a friendship with a pregnant teenager and begins to understand the true meaning of life as he helps the girl give birth to her child.... (Full plot summary below)
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Wanting to avoid settling in a nursing home, Joseph Kotcher, a retired salesman, is obliged to leave his son's family. He embarks on a road trip during which he strikes up a friendship with a pregnant teenager and begins to understand the true meaning of life as he helps the girl give birth to her child.
Leave your thoughts about Kotch.
| San Francisco ChronicleSue AdolphsonThough only 50 years old when he made the film, Matthau is more than convincing as the doddering Joe Kotcher... |
| EmanuelLevy.ComEmanuel LevyWalter Matthau gives a compelling, Oscar-nominated performance as a grumpy old man in this melodrama, the only film star Jack Lemmon directed. |
| Cleveland PressTony MastroianniBy all means, catch Kotch. It's a fine movie. |
| Video-Reviewmaster.comSteve CrumGreat turn by Walter Matthau in aged makeup, and nicely directed by friend Jack Lemmon. |
| User ReviewJade MWalter Matthau Proves in this movie that he is indeed one of the greatest actors that ever lived. This is a must see film, so much heart. His partner in crime Jack Lemmon directed this film, the only film he directed, is also one of the greatest things to face the silver screen. |
| User ReviewKelly BJack Lemmon's directorial debut, is a very heart-warming tale of the trials of growing older. Walter Matthau is brilliant in the title role, and gives one of his finest, out of his more serious roles. Something about 70's film-making in general that captures a majority of my favorite things. |
| User ReviewAnne FThis film was ahead of its time in its portrayal of a lonely elderly man who isn't wanted by his family and is ignored by pretty much everyone else. Walter Matthau was much too young to play the part, but is very convincing in his portrayal, so ignore his bad makeup and the horribly schmaltzy music and enjoy some great acting by all involved. |
| User ReviewMatthew LTouching film about an aging widower (Walter Matthau) whose contentious relationship with his family won't dampen his love for his infant grandson, or stop him from striking up a friendship with a pregnant, unwed teenage girl for whom he becomes a surrogate grandfather. Jack Lemmon's only film as a director may be a bit scattershot, but with the aid of a gorgeous Marvin Hamlisch score, he goes straight for the heart. Charming in every way. |
| User ReviewFrankie AFirst off, the director Jack Lemmon was one of the greatest actors of all time. This is the only movie he directed so from that POV alone its worth a watch. Walter Matthau plays Kotch and he is restrained, affecting a character that loves life, wants to be involved and wants to engage with people. Very brief flashbacks show his relationship with his wife, that mirror the present-day action and its clear he has all his marbles and is an independent soul. He tries to hold on to his relationship with his toddler grandson, and just can't gain the trust of his son and daughter in law. To help with young Duncan instead of Kotch, the parents find Deborah Winters' character Erica, who is brought in to help. Erica is young, trying to do the right things but finds herself very pregnant, and having to leave. Kotch, who seems to be on the side of the young and defenseless, chooses to help out Erica rather than take up residence in a seniors home. He hits the road, tracks her down, and helps Erica bring her baby in to the world. Matthau's character and everyone who watches this learns that Erica considers Kotch a part of the new baby's family, and shares her regret that Kotch never held her and touched her - which is the universal regret of many people. Pass the kleenex. Deborah Winters plays a complex character part good kid, part free spirit, part practical mom to be. She is wholesome looking and even knits which softens up her predicament. The very best scenes are between Erica and Kotch and between Kotch and Duncan. I think the film didn't need the story line of substance abuse of the daughter in law , but over all it is well worth watching to fully appreciate the great ending. |
| User ReviewHeather HSweet movie about perspective and independence. Matthau is a retiree living w/ his son's family, ends up identifying with a teenager just getting her life together. The family values may be a bit dated, but I don't want to ruin the story. It's a sweet movie. |