Rating: Summary: Not much to add to the other reviews, but some information Review: I can't improve on most of the other reviews here, as I too think Hopscotch is an under-rated gem, and I've probably watched it at least 20 times. Matthau is marvelous as usual, Beatty is perfect as the CIA honcho, and Sam Waterston is richly understated as the good-guy go-between between the characters of Beatty and Matthau.HOWEVER, some people who loved this movie may find it nice to know that the piano and orchestra music that underscores much of the movie is the Rondo from Mozart's Piano Concerto #20 in D, K382. There are several dozen versions of it on CD here and there, varying from Brendel's ponderous and slow reading to Annie Fischer's and Murray Perehia's more spirited ones. After hearing the snappy version during the movie, anything slow seems far out of character for the piece. I always knew it was Mozart, but couldn't for the life of me place it until recently. So there you have it. Since there is no "soundtrack" album, per se, enterprising music lovers with a CD burner can make their own, betwen the Rondo, Barber of Seville, and Un Bel Di..
Rating: Summary: Tongue in Cheek Spy Flick! Review: This is one of those films that you can't quite figure out why, but it just strikes you as hilarious. Walther Matthau as an over the hill CIA agent forced to retire by his idiot boss, Ned Beaty, decides to retire his own way by writing a tell-all expose of all the intelligence agencies in the world. The resulting chases, shootouts, and stupid impressions will leave you rolling in the aisles. What he has done to his boss's Southern retirement home is the stuff dreams are made of. If you've ever had an idiot for a boss and wanted revenge, you'll be rooting for Miles Kendig (Matthau) all the way. 5 stars - buy it, see it!
Rating: Summary: Matthau As A Spy?? Review: Matthau gives one of his funniest performances as a clever and benign spy master. He runs circles around his former employer, the CIA and exposes what we know today is the myth of invulnerability. Glenda Jackson turns in a lovely performance as his paramour. There is no deep message here and the comedy is unrelieved by any pathos. But it is hilarious and well worth it.
Rating: Summary: Get even before you leave... Review: Kendig (Walter Matthau) returns from a CIA mission in Europe and the results do not meet Myerson's (Ned Beatty) expectations. In addition, Myerson does not agree with old Kendig's way of doing things, and therefore wants to put him on a job as a file clerk in the basement of CIA head quarters. Kendig does not agree with this notion and leaves the US to see someone special in Austria. This is where Kendig begins to write his memoirs, which he sends in chapters to the major intelligence agencies around the world. This causes some reactions among the different agencies and they now want to see Kendig dead. In the end Hopscotch leaves the audience with an enjoyable comedic experience.
Rating: Summary: Very funny movie! Review: Very funny moving with great performances by Sam Waterston & Glenda Jackson. This movie was made for Walter Mathau's personality and acting abilities. Story - WM is a CIA agent moved to a desk job. To get back, he goes into hiding, writing a book about all of the CIA screw ups. He releases one chapter at a time and sends them to the largest worldwide embassies. The CIA and other governments are trying to catch him before he can reveal any more secrets.
Rating: Summary: Funny and well done entertainment Review: I'm thrilled Hopscotch will be offered on DVD so I can replace my aging videotape. This is a quietly funny, smart movie about an aging spy who reacts badly to a foolish boss trying to place him behind a desk. This isn't an action movie -- it's just a pleasant movie with two great actors. It takes place in a variety of European and American locations. It has some parts where you need to suspend belief, but no more so than many more recent movies. Hopscotch is in my "10 Movies to take to a desert island" list.
Rating: Summary: One Of My Favorites Review: This movie is extremely funny, well acted, and tells a very entertaining story of a wise, wiley, and wordly CIA agent (Matthau), who is demoted by a narrow-minded egocentric boss (Ned Beatty). He then enlists the assistance of a long-time friend (Glenda Jackson) and goes about exacting his revenge. The story builds as he is chased around europe by the CIA and KGB, in an attempt to stop him from revealing too many secrets about clandestine activities he has been involved in. Heartily humorous, with wit, and philosophical touches.
Rating: Summary: One of the best Matthau's movies Review: I've loved this movie, because it's about thr fight of the free individual against the obtuseness of bureaucratic institutions.The game of hide-and-seek of the protagonist against an imbecilic boss, who is "so stupid that in a stupidity contest would turn second",is very funny and fast-paced.Not to mention that beneath the humour there is well deserved critic on CIA efficiency and methods.
Rating: Summary: release this on dvd ... Review: This is about the best movie I've seen in a long time. Quality movies like this just aren't made anymore. My old VHS copy gets watched so much it is becoming to worn out to watch. This had better be released on dvd before this classic is lost forever.
Rating: Summary: Matthau at his best Review: This is by far the best of Walter Matthau movies. Have loved him in several of his films and sorely miss the style he managed to bring to most of his movies; good or not. This movie brings a real twist to the usual spy genre, and it's wonderful to see a spy movie that's as funny as some of the real things reported in the news. It's truly "the gang that couldn't shoot straight" of spy movies. Would love to get it on DVD since our old, taped from TV, version is not of the best quality.
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