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05/15/03
Returning Mickey Stern (2005)
31 %
Reviews Counted: 13 Fresh: 4 Rotten:9 Average Rating: 4.4/10
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins
Synopsis: Mickey Stern travels to Fire Island--the place where he met his sweetheart 50 years ago--in this sweet-natured comedy. Looking to revive his ailing fortunes, Mickey discovers that the island hasn't lost any of its charm, and bonds with someone who resembles his younger self, leading to... [More]
Genre: Comedies
Starring: Joseph Bologna, Tom Bosley, Connie Stevens, Renee Taylor
Director: Michael Prywes
Reviews
1 - 14 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Those who are looking for something a little old-fashioned will be greatly rewarded.
05/15/03
A would-be magical romantic comedy whose execution doesn't live up to the cleverness of its central conceit.
05/07/03
Top Critic
Aptly billed as 'a new old movie' ...proof that sentiment and saccharine need not necessarily go hand in hand.
04/28/03
For all of its complex exposition and brimming biographical detail, it feels more like a cheaply shot film-class project than a real movie.
04/26/03
Returning Mickey Stern is a sweet, well-intended picture, but like its title character, it is not quite good enough for the big leagues.
04/25/03
Top Critic
The always-watchable Bologna is the adhesive holding together this slight and gentle romantic comedy, lending it perhaps more conviction and authority than the material warrants.
04/25/03
Returning Mickey Stern barely gets off first base, although the quaint Fire Island setting makes it easy on the eye.
04/25/03
Far from being charming, there's something grotesque about a desperate older man playing matchmaker to a pair of young would-be lovers, then peering at them from behind bushes and pumping each for the intimate details of their trysts.
04/24/03
Top Critic
The notion of grievingly happening upon your dead beloved, young and lovely again, is simple and potent, but the film's airless amateurism, belabored ethnicism ('Oy gevalt!'), and trite dialogue kill it in the water.
04/22/03
Unlike so many recent movies, 'Returning Mickey Stern' doesn't telegraph how things are going to turn out -- and that's refreshing.
04/09/03
A sweet "new old comedy" that is heavy on nostalgia and light on making waves.
03/24/03
1 - 14 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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