Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

How often do you get to see an excellent film and then participate in a question and answer session with the director afterwards? King of the Corner offers this rare opportunity as director and star Peter Riegert is travelling around the US with this movie. His tour schedule is at the film's website www.kingofthecornerfilm.com. The movie itself is a wonderful ensemble film centering on the life of Leo Spivak (Riegert), a middle aged Jewish man with a lot of problems. His job at a market research firm doing focus groups is mundane, his father (wonderfully played by 90 year old Eli Wallach) is angry, his teenage daughter is out of control and his marriage (to the wonderful Isabella Rossellini) is in a rocky period. The movie focuses on all aspects of Spivak's life without solving his issues. The acting is great, the movie is entertaining, and Riegert does a marvelous job in his role as co-writer, director and star. There are funny and sad parts and it will make you think. I recommend it highly.

This movie is so subtly well crafted that many of the themes aren't apparent until hours or even days after viewing it. The meaning of the title "King of the Corner" isn't apparent until well into the movie when Leo, at his father's funeral, tells the story of playing with him in the neighborhood pool as a young boy and his Dad tirelessly defending his corner of the pool against all comers. What becomes clear is that as a metaphor for the issues being faced by each generation of the Spivak family. Elaina is a teenager struggling for some freedom with her parents, skillfully playing them off of each other. Leo is struggling for some meaning in his life. In spite of having Middle-America's "dream life" - a lovely suburban home, a beautiful daughter (Ashly Johnson) and a gorgeous wife (Isabella Rossellini), he's unfulfilled and acts out in self-destructive ways. It's not until he finds a way to be "king" of his own corner of the world that he manages to take charge of his life, albeit accidentally.Even though the family portrayed is Jewish, it's not an ethnic film. The trials of this family are universal and the appeal of the film is that the characters are warm and real.If go to movies expecting action and sex, this film's probably not for you (though there is a bit of both alluded to here). If you enjoy skillfully crafted character studies, you'll probably like this movie. Four days after seeing it, I'm still savoring the characters.

I saw this movie with my husband and several friends. We all agreed that it was a very enjoyable, entertaining movie containing moments of laughter, sadness, and realistic situations in most of the scenes. Some of the scenes were extremely funny, and some of them were very touching with moments that are universally related to parents who are ill or dying. Eil Wallach was wonderful as the ailing father. His son finally realizes the full value of his father late in the movie. Rita Moreno played a small, yet lovely part in the movie. Isabella Rossellini played an understated part (but better this way than overstated!) Peter Riegert was wonderful in this part. He played it sympathetically in his relationships with his wife, daughter, father and realistically with his employer. I would highly recommend this movie for an enjoyable evening at the movies. It should have been picked up quickly by distributors, but that's another story!!

Looking into the life of a man in his 50's is always fascinating and seldom done in movies (think About Schmidt) because it isn't considered marketable. This movie avoids clichés, stereotypes, etc., with respect to resolving conflicts. It's based on a compilation of two great short stories and the screenplay is equally intelligent. I want to go buy the book of short stories now. A great cast of actors who will do a film for low dough because the material is so good. Peter Riegert, especially, is always someone who can give depth and humanity to any performance, and it really comes through here. (Why this guy can't get a reading/screen test these days when they are casting f%*&g Paris Hilton in feature films is beyond me. I guess Hollywood moguls really operate like the slime balls in 'Player.' Most of all, this film is hilarious! I don't think I've laughed so hard in a long time. I can't go into details on the humor because it will spoil the movie for those who haven't seen it. Check it out!!!!