Awesome Movie

A Disappointing Continuation

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Jerry Lewis was cast in this slobbering bore-fest about an old geezer whom has recently lost his wife.The most sore-thumb quality about this tripe is the fact that it has no point except to prop up Lewis as a kindly old load whom we're supposed to find irresistible..... I did not. Hopefully this will be his swan song as an actor (by the way, he was NEVER an actor).Lewis was a comedian, nothing more -- and even then, he was funny only when he was funny, which wasn't very often. His pathetic films (especially the ones he directed) have proved that.If nothing else, Lewis' movies over the years (most notably in the 1960's) can be viewed as a poignant exercise in self-aggrandizement, similar to the way he conducted himself on the Labor Day telethons where he always said things like, "What 'I' have tried to do here....". Always "I", not "We".... "My kids", not "Our kids", etc.And for those who are too stupid to realize it (and there are many), Lewis cannot act, he cannot direct, and he certainly cannot sing. Just like any other mediocre performer, Lewis lucked into the position to do whatever he wanted to do in the entertainment industry, so he thinks he's a singer. Having fun in your little fantasy-life there, Jerry? In his lame attempt to feel superior to others, Lewis has never possessed the cognizance to understand that other people (even if they're not 'famous') are worthwhile human beings. Being famous, trying to be humorous, or owning a yacht, is not what makes the man. That comes from the inside. Being a loving person comes from an amiable heart.Most of all, love comes from sincerity which allows a person to accept and help others. Jerry didn't get that, he just never got it. Not when he was pan-handling for nickels on those telethons, and certainly not in 'Max Rose'. The audience is only offered a character filled with syrupy vomit which Jerry was hoping would be construed as "charm", an obvious failure.No doubt Lewis was expecting a 'deserved' Oscar for this.... deservedly, he didn't get it.

Until the last five minutes, I thought this movie was a very well done examination not of age, or loss, or regret, but of infidelity.Infidelity is a subject rarely seriously approached in film, and the idea of a film about dealing with that pain for the first time at the twilight of life made for very thought-provoking material.***SPOILERS AHEAD***At the end, though, this film makes a fatal error with the twist conclusion that Max Rose's wife never did actually cheat on him.This is not only illogical (Why did she never claim this? Her attitude toward him in flashback is almost taunting) but disqualifies the story as relative for those who have experienced the pain of betrayal, something much more common than a faithful marriage of 65-years.Really heavy material is thrown away at the last moment, with a brisk summary of "He never should have worried about it." There's a loose message in conclusion that love is all that really matters, but it does not seem Max Rose would have felt that way if there had been admission of a sexual indiscretion.Jerry Lewis is quite good, but again, his final confrontation with Dean Stockwell's character is mishandled with his inexplicably low-key attitude, especially considering Stockwell's open hostility at first. It just doesn't fit with all we've seen beforehand.At just over 80 minutes long, Max Brooks feels like a film that had another act in it, but a decision was made to cut that short and take the easy path home.Not a waste to watch, the cast alone makes it worth a look, but certainly a missed opportunity.

This movie surprised me positively. I always check the rating before watching any movie. The 6.4 rate did not turn me like watching it. But I did anyway because of Jerry Lewis and just loved it. Its current rating isn't fair. This movie is a piece of art with a great message. No clichés and good surprises unfold. I highly recommend watching it! Sometimes we don't treasure our lives and just can't seem to realize what we are letting go through our fingers. A movie like this helps us see what a great gift our lives are. Jerry Lewis acting is close to perfection. Sometimes some horrible movies get good ratings. Why is that? I guess I can't trust ratings anymore.

MAX ROSE must get distribution. If/when it does, Jerry Lewis will win an Oscar for Best Actor.If you only know Lewis as the icon rubber-faced "HEY LAAAAADY" comic of films like THE NUTTY PROFESSOR and CINDERFELLA, you are in for a delightful surprise. Even if you loved Jerry in Scorsese's brilliant KING OF COMEDY, you'll still be shocked by the depth and delicacy of his performance in the title role, a man whose life begins to unravel after the death of his beloved wife of 60+ years, Eva -- beautifully played by Clare Bloom.Lewis has been prepping for his role for more than 3/4 of a century and he lights up the screen. Seeing his work here makes me wish he'd done more than the slapstick comedies that made him an icon. He's a damned fine dramatic actor.Writer-Director Daniel Noah has crafted a story that is at once tender, heartbreaking, honest, textured and captivating. It is that rarest of things - an actual "movie" with a plot and compelling characters.Noah allows Jerry to pay subtle homage to his own past without overshadowing the heart, the drama or the honesty of Max's odyssey. The supporting cast is excellent, notably a group of 80-somethings including Mort Sahl and Rance Howard.Daniel Noah is a filmmaker to be reckoned with. I hope this film brings him the success he deserves.