King of the Corner (2004)

That was an excellent one.

Just perfect...

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Peter Riegert has done a very good work here, translating the above mentioned short story into a film. The ensemble of actors fit well, and portray a realistic story of the reality, disappointments, and comedy of everyday life.Eli Wallach is excellent as Riegert's cantankerous, malcontent father, who finally admits he hated his job, did everything "right" but regrets never having lived.Eric Bogosian is the rabbi, whose dark sarcasm just works, and it is particularly amusing when he takes Riegert to the dog track, to discuss funeral arrangements.Isabella Rosselini is believable as Riegert's disappointed wife, there are a few scenes with Harris Yulin, as Riegert's employer.If you need an intelligent comedy that is somehow uplifting, watch this film. You will truly enjoy it. 9/10.

I saw this movie with my husband and several friends. We all agreed that it was a very enjoyable, entertaining movie containing moments of laughter, sadness, and realistic situations in most of the scenes. Some of the scenes were extremely funny, and some of them were very touching with moments that are universally related to parents who are ill or dying. Eil Wallach was wonderful as the ailing father. His son finally realizes the full value of his father late in the movie. Rita Moreno played a small, yet lovely part in the movie. Isabella Rossellini played an understated part (but better this way than overstated!) Peter Riegert was wonderful in this part. He played it sympathetically in his relationships with his wife, daughter, father and realistically with his employer. I would highly recommend this movie for an enjoyable evening at the movies. It should have been picked up quickly by distributors, but that's another story!!

This movie exercised the full range of the viewer's emotions, yet managed to avoid resolving several major conflicts in typical Hollywood-type fashion. In short, it was an excellent movie for allowing viewers to incorporate their own experiences and ideas into interpretation of the story of a man at mid-life dealing with job, family, marriage and an aging parent. The story balances serious life issues with humor at just the right moments, leaving the audience fulfilled as well as entertained.The actors were first-class and the story provided a vehicle for them to ply their skills artfully. Blockbuster mentality wouldn't distribute films of this depth, but I believe audiences are hungry for them.

Looking into the life of a man in his 50's is always fascinating and seldom done in movies (think About Schmidt) because it isn't considered marketable. This movie avoids clichés, stereotypes, etc., with respect to resolving conflicts. It's based on a compilation of two great short stories and the screenplay is equally intelligent. I want to go buy the book of short stories now. A great cast of actors who will do a film for low dough because the material is so good. Peter Riegert, especially, is always someone who can give depth and humanity to any performance, and it really comes through here. (Why this guy can't get a reading/screen test these days when they are casting f%*&g Paris Hilton in feature films is beyond me. I guess Hollywood moguls really operate like the slime balls in 'Player.' Most of all, this film is hilarious! I don't think I've laughed so hard in a long time. I can't go into details on the humor because it will spoil the movie for those who haven't seen it. Check it out!!!!