Lost in Yonkers
Lost in Yonkers

Movie spotlight

Lost in Yonkers

1993
Movie
114 min
English

In the summer of 1942 two young boys are sent to stay with their stern grandmother Kurnitz and their childlike aunt Bella in Yonkers, New York.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes58%
Google Users71%
Director: Martha CoolidgeGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

Set in Yonkers, New York, during the Great Depression, the film follows two young brothers, Jay and Arty Kurnitz, as they are left in the care of their formidable grandmother, Kurnitz, and their troubled aunt, Bella. The boys navigate a complex family dynamic filled with secrets, eccentric personalities, and unspoken tensions. As they adjust to their new life, they witness the struggles and dreams of their relatives, leading to personal growth and a deeper understanding of family bonds.

Critical Reception

Lost in Yonkers received a mixed to positive reception from critics. While the performances, particularly from Richard Dreyfuss and Mercedes Ruehl, were often praised, the film adaptation of Neil Simon's play was seen by some as losing some of the theatricality and sharpness of the original. The overall sentiment was that it was a heartfelt, though occasionally uneven, portrayal of family and memory during a difficult historical period.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for strong performances, especially from its adult cast.

  • Felt by some critics to be less impactful than its stage counterpart.

  • Appreciated for its poignant depiction of family dynamics and nostalgia.

Google audience: Audiences generally found the film to be a touching and well-acted story about family relationships, with many appreciating the performances and the emotional depth, though some noted it was a bit slow-paced.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the 1991 Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name by Neil Simon.

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