Customer Reviews

Man Upstairs [VHS]

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

 

 

When Katharine Hepburn made "The Man Upstairs" in 1992 it was her first acting project in four years. Two years later she would end her distinguished career with a couple of television films and a memorable supporting role in "Love Affair." At the age of 85 Hepburn plays Victoria Brown who has a sprawling home. One day Mooney Pulaski (Ryan O'Neal) escapes from the local penitentiary and hides out in her attic. Mooney is a jewel thief, so while he is literally an escaped convict he is not a threat to Miss Brown's life. He just needs a place to hide, along with a shower and a hot meal. Convincing Miss Brown that he is innocent, she allows him to stay.

Of course, this cannot go on forever, but "The Man Upstairs" has to develop the relationship between the odd couple before the sorrow of their ultimate parting. The story takes place during the holiday season and most of the movie has to do with Mooney and Miss Brown telling each other their stories, sharing secrets, and forming a friendship. We are not surprised that the housekeepers become suspicious and that the police start to close in on the escapee, or that Mooney is willing to make sacrifices for his new friend. O'Neil reminds us of how charming he can be as a performer and we can well understand why he would jump at the opportunity to do a film with Hepburn. Her motives for doing "The Man Upstairs" are less than clear, because having her do this role is basically overkill of the first order.

The problem is that Hepburn first forays into television movies was so solid, with productions of "The Glass Menagerie," "Love Among the Ruins," and "The Corn is Green." She was nominated for all three of those performances, winning along with her co-star Laurence Olivier for the middle work. Although she was nominated for "Mrs. Delafield Wants to Merry" several years later, you are inclined to think that was more out of a sense of habit than anything else and her final film work on television consists of trifles like this one. "The Man Upstairs" is pleasant enough, but we are talking Katharine Hepburn here and we expect something more. This is a predictable but enjoyable little story, but not much more. For fans tracking down everything Hepburn has done this is worth a look. My second viewing is due only to my spending the week watching every one of her 51 film and television appearances in chronological order.

This is one of the best Christmas movies ever. Ryan O'Neal is perfect as the jewel thief with a heart. Katherine Hepburn is the sassy octogenarian who befriends him. Along the way, there is Champagne, A Christmas tree, Carolers, snow, and 'the right message'.

Here are two of our best liked actors in a sweet, small movie. I suspect this film will not be issued again. So, get it while you can.

I love the movies Kathryn Hepburn made in her senior years. She was so natural in her acting then more so than when she was younger. This movie is very hard to find. I saw it on TV once and have been hunting it ever since. I would have preferred a CD movie but they are not to be had. I am happy with my purchase and Am pleased it was all in very good working order.

I enjoyed this picture very much. It was a pleasure to see Mrs. Hepburn in her later years still as sparkling, witty and indomitable. Ryan O'Neil's acting leaves much to be desired in my opinion, but then again, it is not an easy task playing against such an accomplished actress as Hepburn. Still, the incongruity of the characters the two thespians played contributed a lot to the humour of this picture. I found it very funny almost all the way through, which is unusual. The story is unlikely and unrealistic but still charms and the "message" of the film is heartwarming and reassuring.

I especially enjoyed the setting - a beautiful house in the Connecticut countryside....and the actress who played the Irish housekeeper/cook deserves special mention. I found her to be utterly hilarious and responsible for many of the funnier moments of the picture. Also, a stand out was the actress playing Hepburn's sister. Very, very funny!!!
There is nothing to offend in this picture - just wonderful comedy and charm and good feeling. Highly recommended. Amazon, Please issue in DVD!!

So sad that elderly Katherine Hepburn got involved in this 'stinker' at the end of her career. Not that she did a bad job, but the whole film is a disaster. The premise of the plot simply asks the viewer to stretch belief too, too far. An unusually boring movie. Ok, if you really want to see what a very elderly Hepburn looks like with palsy, or what aging, pudgy Ryan O'Neill looks like, go ahead and watch it...