Checking Out (2005)

43% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
49% of users liked it
(1,419 ratings)

A feisty octogenarian on the verge of his ninetieth birthday invites his three grown children to his upcoming birthday celebration with the explicit understanding that when the festivities end, so does his life, in a dark but light-hearted family comedy directed by Jeff Hare and starring Peter Falk.… More A feisty octogenarian on the verge of his ninetieth birthday invites his three grown children to his upcoming birthday celebration with the explicit understanding that when the festivities end, so does his life, in a dark but light-hearted family comedy directed by Jeff Hare and starring Peter Falk. Morris (Falk) has lived a full life, but now the time has come to end his impressive run. When Morris goes to mortal extremes to reunite his three estranged children, his morbid declaration helps his offspring to realize that, even in old age, the importance of one individual should never be underestimated. David Paymer, Laura San Giacomo, and Judge Reinhold co-star in the one comedy that proves you're never too old to stir up a bit of mischief. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Jeff Hare
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 10, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Dec 19, 2006
Studio: Allumination FilmWorks

Critic Reviews

Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
This Borscht Belt version of King Lear, recently given a limited theatrical release, will find its true home on video and cable.
Joe Leydon, Variety
Funny is funny, and there's no denying that much of Checking Out is agreeably entertaining in a Neil Simon Lite fashion.
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
If this is a good example of the sort of long-forgotten plays that movie producers are unearthing, maybe theater critics need to start digging those graves a little deeper.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
Only Laura San Giacomo, as Morris's lonely daughter, Flo, transcends the staginess of the premise and the creakiness of Richard Marcus's screenplay to deliver a performance that feels remotely natural.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
A lame comedy full of wooden acting, schmaltz, clichés and racial stereotypes.
Andrew Mullen, Film Threat
A thoroughly entertaining, intelligent film with an ultimately positive outlook.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Actor-turned-writer Allen Swift's play comes to the screen with staginess intact, and despite attractive cinematography and some nice New York City location footage, the material's provenance is never far from the surface.