King of the Corner (2004)

71% of critics liked it
(42 reviews)
24% of users liked it
(427 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

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Peter Riegert
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Oct 25, 2005
Studio: Ardustry Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

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.
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.
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.
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.
Ned Martel, New York Times
Mr. Riegert has assembled a capable cast with too little to do or say in this dry, crumbly, barely nourishing tale of intergenerational woe.
John Anderson, Newsday
Wry, screwy and existentially gleeful.
Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media
A story of maturity and consequences -- teens OK
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
A punishing but also compassionate spotlight on a New York City corporate marketeer, and the result is really the movie screen as two way mirror, warts and all.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
A punishing but also compassionate spotlight on a New York City corporate marketeer, and the result is really the movie screen as two way mirror, warts and all.
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies
A pleasant comedy with plenty of heart and a cast that makes it worth the price of admission.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
We've seen the midlife-crisis comedy a hundred times before, but the smarts and the gentle wit of this one makes it a standout of the genre.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
perfectly average in almost every way.
Sean Axmaker, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
A labor of love film where you feel love much stronger than you feel the film.
John Hartl, Seattle Times
Although it's not a flashy debut, Riegert demonstrates an unfailing generosity toward his fellow actors that takes him far.
James Verniere, Boston Herald
A classic tale of Jewish, middle-age angst, featuring a fine cast.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
The marketing focus groups, product testing, and even a pre-planning visit to the funeral home provide a lot of laughs, but then you get little surprises.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
The story should have kept it's focus on the midlife crisis but tried to cover too much ground without exploring any fully.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
Despite a tendency to ramble and some uncomfortable shifts of tone, overall the picture generates a quiet humor and warmth that are quite appealing.
Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Peter Riegert's immense likability factor does much to carry King of the Corner, but Riegert's directorial debut is a clunky affair