There are a couple of significant problems with this film, although that's not to say that it's not worth watching. After all, I could have just turned if off, but I stuck with it.
First, the longer I sat watching the film, particularly in the scenes in the mental institution, I had this feeling that Ackroyd was being very smug here. The "aren't I just terribly funny and clever" syndrome. Which is not to say that he wasn't fairly funny. But it bothered me. And, at least in that part of the film, things just happened so easily...and almost totally illogically. Things improved once he took up his role as a fake psychiatrist radio personality.
Second, if you're watching this film because of Walter Matthau, you're probably going to be disappointed. He's very clearly the second or third banana here, and that's quite a step-down from his star status of less than a decade earlier. Yes, his role is critical to the story, but just about anyone could have played the park.
Charles Grodin always worked out pretty well when a part suited him. This is not one of those times.
I don't even know what to write about this movie. It's just "okay"; has a few funny moments. But it's just disappointing. Maybe watch it once. I can see why the IMDb is so low.
First, the longer I sat watching the film, particularly in the scenes in the mental institution, I had this feeling that Ackroyd was being very smug here. The "aren't I just terribly funny and clever" syndrome. Which is not to say that he wasn't fairly funny. But it bothered me. And, at least in that part of the film, things just happened so easily...and almost totally illogically. Things improved once he took up his role as a fake psychiatrist radio personality.
Second, if you're watching this film because of Walter Matthau, you're probably going to be disappointed. He's very clearly the second or third banana here, and that's quite a step-down from his star status of less than a decade earlier. Yes, his role is critical to the story, but just about anyone could have played the park.
Charles Grodin always worked out pretty well when a part suited him. This is not one of those times.
I don't even know what to write about this movie. It's just "okay"; has a few funny moments. But it's just disappointing. Maybe watch it once. I can see why the IMDb is so low.