Joshua Then and Now (1985)

67% of users liked it
(411 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

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Ted Kotcheff
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: May 17, 1985 Wide

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Radiates energy. Alan Arkin's zany performance as Reuben is a comic tour de force.

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Cast

            James Woods as Joshua Shapiro

            Gabrielle Lazure as Pauline Shapiro

            Alan Arkin as Reuben Shapiro

            Michael Sarrazin as Kevin Hornby

            Linda Sorenson as Esther Shapiro

            Alan Scarfe as Jack Trimble

            Kate Trotter as Jane Trimble

            Alexander Knox as Sen. Hornby

            Chuck Shamata as Seymour Kaplan

            Paul Hecht as Eli Seligson

            Henry Beckman as Det. Stuart McMaster

            Eric Kimmel as Young Joshua

            Harvey Atkin as Dr. Jonathan Cole

            Robert Joy as Colin Fraser

            Catherine Colvey as Mrs. Abbott

            Robert Howard as Alex Shapiro

            Alexandra Innes as Joanna

            Nüvit Özdogru as Bulgarian Translator

            Rob Roy as Mr. Abbott

            Talya Rubin as Susy Shapiro

            Linda Smith as Mrs. Hickey

            Bronwen Mantel as Mrs. Friar

            Kliment Denchev as Bulgarian Poet

            James di Salvio as Barmitzvah Boy

            Michael Donahue as Ryan

            Christopher Eisenhardt as Mr. Hickey

            Patrick Gill as Barmitzvah Boy

            Murray Greenberg as Barmitzvah Boy

            Yuval Kernerman as Young Seymour Kaplan

            Jason Lang as Barmitzvah Boy

            Sonny Lewis as Doorman

            Arn Meldrum as Barmitzvah Boy

            Yohan Perez as Barmitzvah Boy

            Philip Pretten as Mr. Friar

            Michael Richman as Barmitzvah Boy

            Jack Rider as Dr. Danzinger

            Warren Rubin as Barmitzvah Boy

            Deborah Shaffer & David Goodman as R.C.C. Boy

            Joshua Shore as Barmitzvah Boy

            Danny Silverman as Barmitzvah Boy

            Harriet Stein as Woman on Telephone

            John Zobolas as Barmitzvah Boy

            Ken Hudson Campbell as Sidney Murdoch

            Gordon Michael Woolvett as Teddy Shapiro

            Andrew Powell as Ralph Murdoch
See full cast

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