Hopscotch (1980)

75% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(2,849 ratings)

Walter Matthau plays a CIA agent who's been confined by office politics to a desk job. The disgruntled Matthau quits the service and heads to Europe, where he links up with former lover (an fellow ex-agent) Glenda Jackson. All goes smoothly until Matthau acts on the advice of yet another retired… More Walter Matthau plays a CIA agent who's been confined by office politics to a desk job. The disgruntled Matthau quits the service and heads to Europe, where he links up with former lover (an fellow ex-agent) Glenda Jackson. All goes smoothly until Matthau acts on the advice of yet another retired agent, Russian Herbert Lom, who suggests that Matthau write a tell-all autobiography. Spitefully, Matthau sends out copies of his first chapter to the heads of the CIA agencies throughout the world--and from that point on, he and Jackson don't have a moment's peace. This delights Matthau: now that all of his former colleagues are chasing after him, he has a reason to get up in the morning. As written by Brian Garfield, Hopscotch was a conventionally serious espionage novel. As adapted for the big screen by Garfield and Bryan Forbes, Hopscotch is a lively exercise in cloak-and-dagger comedy, even when the pursuit of Matthau turns deadly towards the end. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Ronald Neame
Genres: Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1980 Wide
On DVD: Aug 20, 2002
Studio: Criterion Collection

Critic Reviews

Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
enjoyable romp
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...ultimately never amounts to much.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Hopscotch offers a successful mix of adventure, comedy and romance.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
a light, breezy riff on spy movie conventions
Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com
Ronald Neame's cheeky spy comedy Hopscotch isn't quite an awful movie, but it's so thoroughly and relentlessly mediocre...

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Half boring, and half funny. This movie isn't really worth watching unless you're a fan of Landau. The story is kind of silly, but it's okay.
jay n

Okay caper suffers from miscasting of Matthau in the lead, his action are just too slow for him to be convincing as a man of stealth. Glenda is wasted in a nothing part.

Cast

            Walter Matthau as Miles Kendig

            Glenda Jackson as Isobel von Schmidt

            Ned Beatty as Myerson

            Sam Waterston as Cutter

            Herbert Lom as Mikhail Yaskov

            David Matthau as Ross

            George Baker as Westlake

            Ivor Roberts as Ludlum

            Lucy Saroyan as Carla

            Terry Beaver as Tobin

            Ray Charleson as Clausen

            Allan Cuthbertson as Chartermain

            Severn Darden as Maddox

            Joe Dorsey as Security Guard

            Susan Engel as Westlake's Receptionist

            Mike Gwilym as Alfie

            Anne Haney as Mrs. Myerson

            Jacquelyn Hyde as Realtor

            Yolanda King as Coffee Shop Manager

            Sally Nesbitt as Telephone Operator

            George Pravda as Saint Breheret

            Osman Ragheb as CIA Telephone Technician

            Roy Sampson as Police Sergeant

            Philip Voss as Helicopter Pilot

            Laura Whyte as Myerson's Secretary

            Douglas Dirkson as Follett

            Larry Larson as FBI Technician

            Richard Moore as Seaplane Pilot

            Antony Carrick as Salesman in Electric Shop

            Randy Patrick as Mechanic

            Jeremy Young as Immigration Officer

            Michael Cronin as Policeman

            Joanna McCallum as Bookshop Cashier
See full cast

Hopscotch (1980)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

jay n

Cast