Customer Reviews

Kotch [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A charming film with Matthau giving an oscar-nominated performance as a fifth-wheel grandfather living with his son (Charles Aidman), daughter-in-law (Felicia Farr, aka Mrs. Jack Lemmon), and their infant son, whom Grandpa adores. Lemmon directed his pal Matthau in this film, and look for Lemmon doing a brief cameo as a sleeping bus passenger. Into Kotch's life comes Erica, the babysitter, who is forced to drop out of high school due to an unintended pregnancy, and the two strike up an unorthodox relationship (no, it's not what you're thinking). There is a riotous scene where Kotch delivers the girl's baby in the ladies' room of a gas station, and some "awww" moments throughout the film. One quirk: watch for Kotch to speak German in an Italian restaurant, Spanish in a Swiss restaurant, and French in a Mexican restaurant. Give this one a chance and you'll be rewarded.

"Kotch" is a truely wonderful film, highlighted by Walter Mattheau's performance. It starts out as a typical comedic role, but Matthau slowly turns in a tour-de-force as the film goes on. Don't judge this movie prematurely. It is not your average "old man" film. See it.

Walter Matthau rules in this sentimental film about an elderly man who refuses to be sent to a nursing home and befriends a runaway pregnant teenager.It's a must see!!

A small budget film made large by the performances of Deborah Winters(Outstanding) and Walter Matthau. The first 20-30 minutes of the film is the set-up, so if your patient you will be rewarded. The story really takes off when Matthau finds new meaning in his life through Winter's(single mother) pregency. Two different generations find common ground. Must see!

A small budget film made large by the performances of Deborah Winters(Outstanding) and Walter Matthau. The first 20-30 minutes of the film is the set-up, so if your patient you will be rewarded. The story really takes off when Matthau finds new meaning in his life through Winter's(single mother) pregency. Two different generations find common ground. Must see!

Kotch combines drama, suspense and comedy to make a good picture. The acting is very convincing; and the choreography shines along with the fine cinematography. The plot moves along rather well for the first half hour or so and then it unfortunately slows down with an unnecessary complication or two to the plot. On the other hand, the quality of the print is very good and there's plenty of excellent character development.

When the movie starts, we meet kindly old Joseph Kotchner (Walter Matthau) who loves to live his life revolving around his two or three year old grandson Duncan (played by alternately by Donald and Dean Kowalski). Kotchner means well; but he always seems to be getting on the fragile nerves of his daughter-in-law Wilma (Felicia Farr) and sometimes his son Gerald (Charles Aidman) agrees with Wilma that Kotchner is causing problems in the household. When Kotchner thinks nothing of patting a young child on the tushie to indicate that she should "get along" after he dries her off from the kiddie pool, the mothers overreact and cause quite a stink. It's clear that Kotchner just doesn't fit into his environment.

It's also not long before Wilma convinces Gerald to send Joseph to a supposedly fancy retirement "village;" but Joseph Kotchner will have none of that--especially when he must be tested for psychological problems! Joseph sneaks away and travels north by bus; and he enjoys a little adventure along his way. Meanwhile, the young babysitter Erica Herzenstiel (Deborah Winters), who started to care for Duncan when Wilma couldn't take Joseph any more, becomes pregnant and is banished from the Kotchner household by the ever so uptight Wilma.

Eventually Joseph Kotchner and Erica meet up in Palm Springs; Joseph goes looking for Erica because he knows that a young pregnant woman with no money may have problems making it on her own. Erica accepts Kotchner's offer to live with him in a small rented house--at least for now. Kotchner accepts Erica for the human being that she is; he doesn't make moral judgments. He only empathizes with her situation.

It may seem like I've told you the whole story up until this point but with the several extra plot details I mentioned I can assure you that I've already left out some things to make this a good movie for you to watch if you choose to watch it. Moreover, from here the plot can go anywhere. Will Erica keep her child or give it up for adoption since she has no money? What about Wilma and Gerald--how will they find Gerald's father? And, even if Erica wants to keep her baby, her straight laced and legal guardian brother Peter may force her to sign papers that make her give away the baby when it is born. Will Erica sign the papers or fight with Peter? Watch and find out!

The DVD has no bonus features; I would have liked some commentary but we get nothing more than "scene selection" and subtitles. Sigh.

Overall, Kotch is a good film that could have been great had they not created a plot with unnecessary twists and turns. However, the acting is excellent and therefore I do recommend this film for fans of the actors in this movie. It's also a great look at what the early 1970s looked like as people ride around in cars the size of boats, own avocado color washer and dryer machines and wear the clothing that was popular at the time.

"Kotch" marks Jack Lemmons' directorial debut and stars Walter Matthau as Joe Kotcher, an old but sprightly widower whose eccentricities drive both his son and daughter-in-law up the wall. When they decide to send him to a retirement home somewhere in California, Joe takes off, literally hopping on a bus and heading up to Seattle for a while before coming home. He misses his grandson, a cherubic baby, but realises he doesn't fit in with his son's family, and is unwanted. Joe eventually does find some purpose to his life when he befriends an unwed pregnant teenager, Erica [Deborah Winters] and the pair embark on some hilarious escapades, discovering friendship and companionship along the way.

There are many comic scenes in this movie - Matthau plays the eccentric Joe Kotcher admirably well, earning himself an Oscar nomination for his effort. Deborah Winters shines as the confused and lonely pregnant teen who finds an unlikely ally in Joe. Both are sort of social outcasts who form a genuine rapport with each other.

The funny scenes are balanced with moments of true poignancy, especially when Joe reminisces about his deceased wife and their lives together. This is a heartwarming story that is not merely about an old man but about finding hope and purpose in life.

Solid movie on family values. Relaxed pace and content. It's a shame you can't find any of these movies at the video stores anymore. If it's older than 2005
it's relegated to the dust bin apparently. Fortunately my library had a copy.
Matthau in 1971 in an elderly role that, in retrospect, is amusing considering
the elderly curmudgeons he would famously play as an adult. In this role, however, he's a straight-laced German with a penchant for logical gab and possessing a tender heart. A simpler story about simpler values from a simpler place in time (real or imaginary). Thumbs up.

In most roles, Walter Matthau is the wise cracking, cantancerous character who leaves us a bit perplexed but loving his character anyway. In Kotch, Mr. Matthau plays a wise, loving grandfather trying to connect with his son and daughter-in-law's impatience with this old man whom she deems ready to be put "out to pasture". Not only is Mr. Matthau's character not ready for the nursing home, he's more than ready to enjoy the rest of his life to the fullest. This is a wonderfully warm, sometimes sentimental, sometimes funny depiction of what life could be like in later years and Walter Matthau, as usual, does the role justice.

The story is sweet and the acting is great. The whole family will be able to watch this movie. It is an older movie so don't look for wonders in carmera working or scenery that makes you swoon.

The family of Kotch wants to put him in a retirement home but he doesn't think that is what he wants. He meets a young abandoned yound lady that makes him feel needed. They develop a father/daughter type relationship.