Tribute *** (1980, Jack Lemmon, Lee Remick, Robby Benson, Colleen Dewhurst, Kim Cattrall, John Marley) – Classic Movie Review 7436

Director Bob Clark’s 1981 drama Tribute stars Jack Lemmon, who memorably records on film his superlative, poignant Broadway performance as joking New York theatre publicist Scottie Templeton, who learns that he is afflicted by terminal leukaemia just as Jud (Robbie Benson), his son by his ex-wife Maggie, re-appears for a visit. They quarrel and then it is almost too late for a reconciliation.

It is a tribute to Lemmon that his performance transfers charismatically and effortlessly to the screen (he was Oscar-and Golden Globe-nominated as Best Actor) and Benson is good, as always, as the kid. There is little joy for Lee Remick, though, in a thankless role as the divorced wife Maggie, who tries to bring the two men together. And it is not great as a movie, provoking the thought that maybe Bernard Slade should not have scripted his own play.

Tribute still has the smell of greasepaint, but, even so, it still waits for your applause. It is made in Canada with the exteriors filmed in New York.

Also in the cast are Colleen Dewhurst, Kim Cattrall, John Marley, Gale Garnett and Teri Keane.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7436

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