Hopscotch (1980)

This movie is Walter Matthau at his best. The easy way he shoves it to his boss, Ned Beatty, at the CIA when he's put behind a desk is a joy. The twists and turns of just how he goes about this keep the movie moving and interesting. You want him to get away with it while humiliating the agency at every turn. He gets excellent from then wife Glenda Jackson and a young Sam Waterston. Too bad it's not available on DVD as the VHS tape isn't wide screen and isn't a great transfer.

Fmovies: I agree with the above review completely: we watch this movie several times a year and it never gets old! It's like a fabulous view from a high place; you just never get tired of it. My rating of 10 reflects how much I love this picture. I don't think you can rent it but you can buy it. Recommended! As to picture quality: the movie was re-released on DVD with a complete remastering of both picture (fantastic!) and sound (good audio, but still monophonic; there's only so much you can do when the original is single-track mono) plus interviews with Ronald Neame (D) and Brian Garfield (writer of the novel and co-screenplay) a couple of years ago. The DVD is anamorphic widescreen, so all the stuff that was pan-and-scanned out of the VHS release is back, just like it was in the theater. I bought two copies as soon as it was available and sent one to my brother, who introduced me to this gem. One of my all-time favorites.

Note to producers: do NOT attempt to remake this picture. It would be folly. There are no actors on the planet who could pull it off. No one, I mean NO ONE has the charisma and charm of Walter Matthau, and the chemistry between he and Glenda Jackson isn't something you can fake. If anyone else had been the co-stars, this picture would have disappeared completely. You wouldn't remake It's a Wonderful Life, would you?

Walter Matthau's Sense of Verbal Easiness and Physical Slouching is Showcased in this Breezy, Easy Going Spy Comedy. The Laughs are Subtle most of the Time Lending itself to Situations and Dry Displays of Visual and Verbal Offhandedness.

It's a Fun Film, especially if You Like Mattheau. The Supporting Cast all do Good work. Ned Beatty, Sam Waterston, Herbert Lom, and Glenda Jackson all Play Off of the Mattheau Schickt.

It Moves at a Fast Pace where there is No Time for Fancy Frills and Thrills, it gets its Energy from anything but the Spy Movies it is Satirizing. There is Virtually No Resemblance to a "Bond" Movie or even a "Flint". It's Style is more like a TV Show where Everything is Bright, Colorful, Staged, Minimal, and Unpretentious.

Overall, it is Witty Enough and Engaging Enough to be Entertaining for the Majority of Moviegoers. Although, it got Mediocre Reviews Initially, the Movie has Gained more Acceptance Over the Years.

The Globe Hopping Helps the Postcard Look and is Definitely Worth a Watch for Undiscriminating Fans of the Spy Genre, Fluffy Take-Offs, and those who just want to Fly through a Couple of Hours with very little to Tax the Viewer. It's almost Therapeutic in its Zen Like Naturalness.

Hopscotch fmovies. Hopscotch (1980)

A lightweight, enjoyable entertainment about an aging spy who has fun going renegade in his final weeks.

I have to admit I liked the movie for the congeniality of Walter Matthau. While not as zany (and original) as the much earlier "Charade" (also with Matthau), "Hopscotch" shares a lot of the feel of that movie, with villains who aren't quite villainous, and a leading man who is part bumbling and part a step ahead of the game. The supporting cast is fun, though just barely--both of the key CIA guys after our hero are good actors at their best, but they are not at their best here, especially Sam Waterston in a wishy-washy role. Most peculiar of all, and almost scotch-taped into both the plot and the casting, is very British and very different actress Glenda Jackson, a former spy who chips in as needed, and plays a growing role as things proceed.

British director Ronald Neame (who directed "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" and "The Odessa File") is completely in charge here, making the most of a middling script that uses well worn or barely surprising twists and gags to keep a potentially violent espionage film from ever leaving light comedy. Because in fact the pace is consistent and the filming (under the eye of Arthur Ibbeteson, also British) is completely fine, if nothing to write home about. In fact, this feels like high budget British television, which is something different than pure Hollywood. Or it might feel like 1960 Hollywood widescreen with minor updates--not including the 1960s Hollywood star, Mr. Matthau.

But it is Matthau's movie, fortunately. He can be a convincing bumpkin and a warm hearted fellow, and he can be clever beneath his seeming simplicity. All of this is an advantage here, and you are completely on his side as he thwarts, with winks and tricks, the supposedly superior forces of a full press CIA assault. Expect some fun, and you won't be disappointed.

I think many of us were really surprised to see Criterion release Hopscotch, but glad, were all glad they did. Here Walter Matthau is reprimanded for allowing a wanted KGB agent to walk. Matthau's integrity is too precious to take guff from even the CIA. Subsequently, he does not take the news of being reassigned to the job of file clerk very well so he begins to write his memories, leaking secret information to the opposition. The ensuing chase is slapstick, a Spy vs. Spy comedy with great international locations. Frankly, using the cold war as a catalyst for comedy was long overdue by 1980. A great travel piece.

A sleeper. I can watch it again and again. Well written, well crafted, fun performances. Shame it is not available commercially. Wonder why? Funny situations interspersed with witty dialogue-- as good as comedies from the thirties. The airplanes for me are a plus.