King of the Corner (2004)
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71% of critics liked it
(42 reviews) -
21% of users liked it
(435 ratings)
A man looking for a new purpose in his life finds one that last place he expected in this comedy. Leo Spivak (Peter Riegert) is a man slowly sinking into the quicksand of a midlife crisis. He's become increasingly unsatisfied with his career in product testing, especially now that his young… More A man looking for a new purpose in his life finds one that last place he expected in this comedy. Leo Spivak (Peter Riegert) is a man slowly sinking into the quicksand of a midlife crisis. He's become increasingly unsatisfied with his career in product testing, especially now that his young assistant Ed (Jake Hoffman) has taken to stealing his ideas and passing them on to his boss as his own work. Leo's marriage to Rachel (Isabella Rossellini) is not what it once was, especially now that she's shifted into a constant state of near-hysteria over their daughter, Elena (Ashley Johnson), and her budding romance with an aspiring juvenile delinquent. And Leo is spending every other weekend with his aging father, Sol (Eli Wallach), who has lost his will to live but uncooperatively won't die. As Leo puzzles over his path in life, he finds some very unexpected answers when he makes the acquaintance of Evelyn Fink (Eric Bogosian), a "freelance Rabbi" with some unusual spiritual advice. King of the Corner was directed and co-written by leading man Riegert; the screenplay was adapted from stories in the collection Bad Jews by Gerald Shapiro. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Peter Riegert
- Genres
- Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 2005 Wide
- Studio
- Ardustry Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Jason Anderson, Globe and Mail
As a portrait of an average guy who makes average mistakes, it conveys wit and wisdom without leaning too heavily on schmaltz.
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John Hartl, Seattle Times
Although it's not a flashy debut, Riegert demonstrates an unfailing generosity toward his fellow actors that takes him far.
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Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
It's a warm, unexpectedly moving portrait of a man on the verge of what could either be a dreadful or delightful second chapter.
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Ty Burr, Boston Globe
This is perilously close to a vanity film, but since the star has always seemed like one of the least vain guys in the business, maybe he deserves to go on a bender.
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Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
Although Riegert, who has here assembled a first-rate cast, clearly has a good touch with actors, his handling of the awkward material reveals his directorial inexperience.
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Cast
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Peter Riegert
as Leo Spivak
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Isabella Rossellini
as Rachel Spivak
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Ashley Johnson
as Elena Spivak
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Eli Wallach
as Sol Spivak
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Rita Moreno
as Inez
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Jake Hoffman
as Ed
- Harris Yulin
- Frank Wood
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Beverly D'Angelo
as Betsy
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Eric Bogosian
as Rabbi Evelyn Fink
- Dominic Chianese
- Judy Reyes
- Peter Friedman
