Harry & Son *** (1984, Paul Newman, Robby Benson, Ellen Barkin, Wilford Brimley, Joanne Woodward, Judith Ivey, Ossie Davis, Morgan Freeman) – Classic Movie Review 3706

Paul Newman is producer, co-writer, director and star for this 1983 film, a deeply felt personal project. He tries really hard to make a success of his reflection on life, love and mortality.

It is a movie about drifters. Newman (aged 59) plays Harry Keach, a 50something demolition man drifting towards death and Robby Benson (aged 28) is his twentyish son Howie, a car-washer and aspiring writer, drifting through life. Harry has been widowed for two years and works as a crane operator on a demolition crew. Fun-seeking Howard still lives with Harry but, though they love each other, the strain in their relationship is showing.

As actor, Newman generously allows Benson a lot of room for exuberant acting in their scenes together. As director he coaxes delightful star cameos from his wife Joanne Woodward as Lilly and from Ellen Barkin as Katie Wilowski and Wilford Brimley as Tom Keach. And as co-writer with Ronald L Buck, he has let the tale wander and run into overtime at an over-extended 117 minutes.

Also in the cast are Judith Ivey, Ossie Davis, Morgan Freeman, Katherine Borowitz, Maury Chaykin, Michael Brockman, Cathy Cahill, Robert Goodman, Tom Nowicki, Claudia Robinson, Nicole Gian and Harold Bergman.

Hopefully there will always be room for rare little character-driven films like this. Watched with a little patience and a generous spirit, it can warm the heart and lift the spirits.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3706

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