Joshua Then and Now (1985)
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65% of users liked it
(419 ratings)
The early ups and later downs in the life of Joshua Shapiro (James Woods) more or less describe the trajectory of this semi-autobiographical film, adapted from the book by Mordecai Richler. Joshua is a Jewish Canadian writer who has returned from living in England for nearly three decades, only to… More The early ups and later downs in the life of Joshua Shapiro (James Woods) more or less describe the trajectory of this semi-autobiographical film, adapted from the book by Mordecai Richler. Joshua is a Jewish Canadian writer who has returned from living in England for nearly three decades, only to see the major components of his life disintegrate around him. Flashbacks tell the tale of Joshua's childhood -- raised by a father who is an ex-boxer with a creative approach to earning a living (illegally) and a mother who earns her living as a stripper. Leaving this background and his coming-of-age behind him, Joshua flies off to England and gains a reputation as a writer, marrying a politically leftist but socially elite wife. On his return to Canada at the end of the '70s, everything around him collapses. His best friend dies, his brother-in-law kills himself, there is a smear campaign against him, and someone is out to blackmail him. Things only get worse, in fact, before they level off. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Directed By
- Ted Kotcheff
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- May 17, 1985 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Radiates energy. Alan Arkin's zany performance as Reuben is a comic tour de force.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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James Woods
as Joshua Shapiro
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Gabrielle Lazure
as Pauline Shapiro
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Alan Arkin
as Reuben Shapiro
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Michael Sarrazin
as Kevin Hornby
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Linda Sorenson
as Esther Shapiro
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Alan Scarfe
as Jack Trimble
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Kate Trotter
as Jane Trimble
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Alexander Knox
as Sen. Hornby
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Chuck Shamata
as Seymour Kaplan
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Paul Hecht
as Eli Seligson
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Henry Beckman
as Det. Stuart McMaster
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Eric Kimmel
as Young Joshua
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Harvey Atkin
as Dr. Jonathan Cole
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Robert Joy
as Colin Fraser
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Catherine Colvey
as Mrs. Abbott
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Robert Howard
as Alex Shapiro
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Alexandra Innes
as Joanna
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Nüvit Özdogru
as Bulgarian Translator
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Rob Roy
as Mr. Abbott
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Talya Rubin
as Susy Shapiro
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Linda Smith
as Mrs. Hickey
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Bronwen Mantel
as Mrs. Friar
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Kliment Denchev
as Bulgarian Poet
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James di Salvio
as Barmitzvah Boy
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Michael Donahue
as Ryan
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Christopher Eisenhardt
as Mr. Hickey
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Patrick Gill
as Barmitzvah Boy
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Murray Greenberg
as Barmitzvah Boy
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Yuval Kernerman
as Young Seymour Kaplan
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Jason Lang
as Barmitzvah Boy
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Sonny Lewis
as Doorman
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Arn Meldrum
as Barmitzvah Boy
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Yohan Perez
as Barmitzvah Boy
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Philip Pretten
as Mr. Friar
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Michael Richman
as Barmitzvah Boy
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Jack Rider
as Dr. Danzinger
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Warren Rubin
as Barmitzvah Boy
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Deborah Shaffer & David Goodman
as R.C.C. Boy
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Joshua Shore
as Barmitzvah Boy
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Danny Silverman
as Barmitzvah Boy
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Harriet Stein
as Woman on Telephone
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John Zobolas
as Barmitzvah Boy
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Ken Hudson Campbell
as Sidney Murdoch
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Gordon Michael Woolvett
as Teddy Shapiro
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Andrew Powell
as Ralph Murdoch
