Checking Out (2005) – Morris Applebaum (Peter Falk) decides that after 90+ years, a legendary acting career and three children with the great love of his life, it’s time to drop the final curtain. He sends invitations to his children and all his friends for a huge party before he kills himself. His children are appalled and all come to New York City to try and get him to change his mind.
Directed by Jeff Hare Starring – Peter Falk, Laura San Giacomo, Judge Rheinhold, David Paymer
Years ago I was in the cast of a production of Eugene Ianesco’s play “Six Characters in Search of An Author”. My thoughts kept returning to the title as I watched this movie. There’s a great concept here. Add in a quality cast of character actors and you would think you’d end up with something better than this. The problem is that the concept never manages to become a coherent story. A little research made the whole experience more understandable, if no more pleasant. The script is based on Allen Swift’s 1976 Broadway play of the same name. It closed eleven days after it opened, managing a grand total of sixteen performances. For comparison, the longest running straight play in Broadway history was “Life With Father” which ran from 1939 to 1947 for 3,224 performances.
The script can’t quite figure out where it’s going. It’s pretty clear the writers had some lines and scenes they liked but there isn’t much holding them all together. As a result, the pacing is plodding at best. The cast just seems lost at times, doggedly doing the best they can with the material they were given. Lots of talent here. Every time they begin to gain some traction with the story, the script lets them down again. Several opportunities for stirring memorable moments are just dribbled away. The direction doesn’t help any either. It’s boring and predictable.
Why I Liked It: Just loved the concept, even in it’s underdeveloped condition.
Why You Will Like It: The cast is really a lot of fun to watch.
Rated PG-13
Not to be confused with the 1989 movie of the same name.
Rating – ** 1/2 Almost Worth A Look
Stories Are My Life 
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