Popi (1969)

66% of users liked it
(512 ratings)

Striving for a better life for his two sons, a Puerto Rican immigrant named Popi (Alan Arkin) goes about his mission in a singularly eccentric fashion in this comedy from director Arthur Hiller. So intent is Harlem resident Abraham "Popi" Rodriguez (Arkin) upon providing his boys with the American… More Striving for a better life for his two sons, a Puerto Rican immigrant named Popi (Alan Arkin) goes about his mission in a singularly eccentric fashion in this comedy from director Arthur Hiller. So intent is Harlem resident Abraham "Popi" Rodriguez (Arkin) upon providing his boys with the American dream, that he puts off marrying his beautiful girlfriend Lupe (Rita Moreno) in order to carry out the mother of all harebrained schemes. After instructing his boys how to row with lessons in Central Park, Popi takes them to Florida and sets them adrift on the ocean, knowing that two cute "refugees from Cuba" seeking asylum in the U.S. will become celebrity cases and probably be adopted by rich WASP's. Popi's plan works like a charm, with his sons even earning an audience with the president, but a visit to the hospital where they're recovering from their ordeal at sea sinks his big plans. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: Arthur Hiller
Written By: Lester Pine, Tina Pine
Genres: Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1969 Wide
On DVD: Apr 1, 2003

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Charming tearjerker sitcom comedy on the Puerto Rican experience in Spanish Harlem.

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

Although it buckles a little under the weight of it's preposterous premise, it's still a must-see for Alan Arkin fans. He's truly at the top of his game.
Jason O

This is supposed to be one of the best and most popular movies of all time in its native country, but it didn't really do it for me.
Lanning :

Yet again I say, Alan Arkin deserved his Oscar this year. This is a powerfully quiet film about love and the lengths to which a parent might go in order to express that love. Arkin's misguided plan to find a better life for his sons only goes to prove that the bounds of… More
Yet again I say, Alan Arkin deserved his Oscar this year. This is a powerfully quiet film about love and the lengths to which a parent might go in order to express that love. Arkin's misguided plan to find a better life for his sons only goes to prove that the bounds of familial love are often too strong to break, no matter how altruistic the intentions may be.

Cast

Alan Arkin
as Abraham
Rita Moreno
as Lupe
Miguel Alejandro
as Junior

Ruben Figueroa
as Luis
John Harkins
as Harmon
Joan Tompkins
as Miss Musto

See full cast

Popi (1969)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

Jason O

Lanning :

Cast