Well. Maltin thinks that Newman is unconvincing (when is Newman ever unconvincing?) and Time Out writes it off as one Great Acting Scene after another. What nonsense. This is a convincing story (which was co-written by Ronald Buck from Raymond DeCapite's novel) about a single father trying to get his son to commit to something; he is making an 'instant family' with his pregnant ex-girlfriend. It's not all sweet sugar either - scene where Newman is deliberately horrible to his daughter (at least she is able to take the piss back in retaliation).
Joanne Woodward is great as the dead wife's best friend, Robby Benson has plenty of vigour as the son, Wilford Brimley is Newman's brother, with Ellen Barkin, Ossie Davis (good), Judith Ivey, Morgan Freeman.
Do you think that supposedly amorous phrenology bump of his was in fact a brain tumor that is killing him?
Dede Allen cuts it most efficiently, without tricks, particularly delighting in a scene at a cardboard box factory. Donald McAlpine is on camera, Richard Cirincione is assistant editor and supervising sound editor. The sound is used well, particularly contrasts of demolition / factory to home / pet shop. He worked on sound with her on Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, The Missouri Breaks and Reds, also Apocalypse Now.
An Orion Picture.
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