Max Dugan Returns (1983)

69% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
57% of users liked it
(1,542 ratings)

Max Dugan (Jason Robards Jr.) is an elderly ne'er-do-well whose tenuous mob connections have made him persona non grata with his daughter Marsha Mason. Struggling to raise her restless son Matthew Broderick on her own, Mason is none too pleased when Max returns to the family fold with yet another… More Max Dugan (Jason Robards Jr.) is an elderly ne'er-do-well whose tenuous mob connections have made him persona non grata with his daughter Marsha Mason. Struggling to raise her restless son Matthew Broderick on her own, Mason is none too pleased when Max returns to the family fold with yet another portfolio of get-rich-quick schemes. Forced to leave town due to the investigative habits of cop Donald Sutherland, Mason's new boyfriend, Max does one last good deed to renew the faith of the disillusioned-with-life Broderick. Watch for Donald Sutherland's son Kiefer in his film debut, and for former Kansas City Royals' batting coach Charlie Lau in the baseball-game finale. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Herbert Ross
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 25, 1983 Wide
On DVD: Jul 12, 2005

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
A consistently happy comedic fable which should please romanticists drawn to a teaming of Neil Simon, Marsha Mason and Herbert Ross.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Simon's gift also is his downfall. He's so good at writing lightweight dialogue that it all begins to sound the same.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
There are certainly some questionable ingredients to the story, but you're not likely to notice them while the film is under way. You're likely to be laughing.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
A clumsy, heavy film, its most profoundly expressed emotion is greed.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This sentimental outing was written by Neil Simon and stars Marsha Mason as Nora, a single parent trying to raise her son Michael (Matthew Broderick).
Renee Schonfeld, Common Sense Media
Comic, clever, and satisfying fairy tale of redemption.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Crowd-pleasing domestic comedy that's based on a Neil Simon screenplay.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
A delightful comic fantasy.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...entertaining throughout...
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Delivers some trickle-down emotional benefits.
, Film4
Ross directs competently and the cast could not be bettered.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

A great family comedy drama, again with the cute young Broderick, I loved this movie, it's charming. Oh, and just so you don't get confused like I did, this movie isn't a sequel to anything.
jay n

Charming fable. Jaon Robards is irresistible as the wandering dad.
RJ M

A real charming movie from 1983. What would you do if someone suddenly gave you everything you ever wanted. That's what happens when Nora's long estranged father Max shows up on her doorstep one rainy night carrying a satchel filled with $687,000. Max only has 6 months left… More
A real charming movie from 1983. What would you do if someone suddenly gave you everything you ever wanted. That's what happens when Nora's long estranged father Max shows up on her doorstep one rainy night carrying a satchel filled with $687,000. Max only has 6 months left to live, and wants to give Nora, a struggling schoolteacher, and her young son Michael, all the luxuries he can in the time he has left. The problem is, the money Max has, he stole from a casino he worked at in Vegas. To further complicate matters, Nora has just started dating Kevin, who is a police detective. Bestowed with amazing gifts, from new appliances, to a brand new Mercedes, to a completely refurbished house, Nora tries to hide her father's identity, and explain away her seemingly new found wealth. Jason Robards gives a poignant performance as Max, a lifelong ne'er do well, who tries to make things right with his family. Marsha Mason is charming and hilarious as the put upon Nora. Kiefer Sutherland is solid as the police detective torn between his feelings for Nora, and the nagging feeling he has that all is not as it appears with her. The movie features Matthew Broderick, in his film debut, as Nora's son Michael, a kid who hits the jackpot, and doesn't see his mother's problem with taking what Max is giving them. It's a very Frank Capra-esque fantasy, that showcases the fantasy that everyone who struggles with everyday life would feel if their ship suddenly came in. A feel good movie if there ever was one, it's also the screen debut of 24's Keifer Sutherland.

Cast

            Marsha Mason as Nora McPhee

            Jason Robards as Max Dugan

            Donald Sutherland as Brian Costello

            Matthew Broderick as Michael McPhee

            Dody Goodman as Mrs. Litke

            Sal Viscuso as Coach Roy

            Panchito Gomez as Luis

            Billie Bird as Older Woman

            Sondra Blake as Teacher

            Joey Coleman as 3rd Baseman

            Tom Fridley as Steve

            Ray Girardin as Umpire

            Mari Gorman as Pat

            Charley Lau as Himself

            Irene Olga Lopez as His Wife

            Santos Morales as Grocer

            Shelley Morrison as Mother

            David Morse as Shoe Store Cop

            Lydia Nicole as Celia

            Brian Part as Kevin

            Tessa Richarde as Blonde in Shoe Store

            Thomas Rosales Jr. as Robber

            Tom Spratley as Truck Washer

            Jim Staahl as Man in Shoe Store

            Kiefer Sutherland as Bill Costello

            Duke Stroud
            
            Frank D'Annibale as Bears' Coach

            Robert Darcy as Cabbie

            Hank McCann
            
            Bill Aylesworth as Chris
See full cast