Orphans **** (1987, Albert Finney, Matthew Modine, Kevin Anderson) – Classic Movie Review 5219

Albert Finney repeats his London stage performance as ageing Chicago gangster Harold, who is mixed up with two weird brothers Treat and Philip (Matthew Modine and Kevin Anderson), in director Alan J Pakula’s 1987 riveting piece of filmed theatre. Harold moves in with Treat and Philip and takes on the role of their surrogate father.

Finney triumphs in a brio performance in an acting showcase, but Modine and Anderson are special too.

Lyle Kessler scripts from his own fascinating Steppenwolf Production Company play, a hit both on Broadway and in London’s West End.

But it was not a hit in movie theatres. This costly flop did not ring many cash registers at the cinema box office. It cost $15,000,000 and took only $252,430 at US box offices.

Also in the cast are John Kellogg, Douglas Henshall, Anthony Heald, Novella Nelson and Elizabeth Parrish.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5219

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