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The Freshman

Play trailer Poster for The Freshman PG 1990 1h 42m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
94% Tomatometer 53 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Clark Kellogg (Matthew Broderick) is robbed moments after arriving in New York, so when he sees his mugger several days later, he confronts him. The man promises to return his property and get him a job with his uncle, Carmine Sabatini (Marlon Brando), who turns out to be a Mafia boss. As Clark continues his shady work for Carmine, he discovers an elaborate underworld that has caught the attention of the authorities. As things come to a head, not everything is what it seems.
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The Freshman

The Freshman

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Critics Consensus

Buoyed by the charm of Matthew Broderick in the title role and Marlon Brando as a caricature of his Godfather persona, The Freshman benefits from solid casting, a clever premise, and sweet humor.

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Critics Reviews

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John Hartl Seattle Times 08/01/2013
3.5/4
Andrew Bergman's The Freshman is a charmed comedy, the kind of seemingly effortless movie in which everything falls neatly into place, as if ordained by nature. Go to Full Review
Desmond Ryan Philadelphia Inquirer 08/01/2013
3/4
Brando does a wonderful sendup of Corleone that manages to play off the Don's entrenched place in pop culture. But The Freshman is no copycat comedy. Go to Full Review
Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel 08/01/2013
3/5
Though writer-director Andrew Bergman sets up potentially funny situations, the payoffs aren't nearly as clever as they need to be. Many situations don't pay off at all. Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Apr 14
2.5/4
...a decidedly (and unabashedly) off-kilter premise that’s employed to watchable yet somewhat lackluster effect by Bergman... Go to Full Review
Terry Francis Southern Voice (Atlanta) 05/09/2023
3.5/4
The process of our watching the film is happy acquiescence. Go to Full Review
Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 11/16/2022
The nicest surprise of the summer. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Nov 23 Funny in 01 hour, 42 minutes, and 44 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $20,700,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Copyright 1990-2025 Columbia Tri-Star Pictures, a Sony company!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Filmed in color for the July 20th, 1990, release of the movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more James B. @JamesBass Oct 25 Making such a silly premise work on so many levels is the work of near genius. The Freshman takes what could easily have been a one-joke concept and turns it into a surprisingly clever and charming comedy. Obviously, Brando is being a good sport about the whole thing—his performance is spot on, full of self-awareness and effortless gravitas. Watching him parody his own legend while still maintaining total credibility is a treat in itself. Matthew Broderick, coming off a string of fantastic films (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, WarGames, Ladyhawke, Biloxi Blues), once again proves how naturally likable and deftly understated he can be. Penelope Ann Miller, who also shared the screen with Broderick in Biloxi Blues, is deliciously funny here—her timing and lightness perfectly complement the film’s offbeat rhythm. Don’t overthink it as some profound commentary on the frivolity of the super wealthy. Instead, just appreciate the absurdity—the way life seems to make its own plans, no matter how sensibly we try to chart them. The Freshman may be ridiculous, but it’s the kind of ridiculous that feels oddly true, and that’s what makes it such a joy to watch. See more Bruce N 10/05/2024 The Freshman is a sweet, quirky, slightly screwball comedy that benefits from Marlon Brando's self-parody of his Don Corleone character from The Godfather. Matthew Broderick is charming as the befuddled film student who gets pulled into an errand for an apparent mob boss that involves transporting an endangered lizard, and gets smitten with his daughter (Penelope Ann Miller). The supporting cast are great, including Bruno Kirby, Paul Benedict, Jon Polito, and a hilarious cameo by Bert Parks, singing "Tequila" and Dylan's "Maggie's Farm" at a posh party. It's an underrated gem and if you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor. See more Rami A @Bunt101 11/26/2023 In a lighter way, the movie itself is reminiscent of The Godfather. In a role that is essentially that of Don Vito Corleone with a loose screw, Marlon Brando made a hilarious comeback to the big screen. See more Steve D 09/09/2023 Broderick can't pull it off. See more Edward G 05/13/2023 Easily one of the funniest movies of all time. Must see for anyone who is a fan of the movies, great writing and noticing "extras" See more Read all reviews
The Freshman

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Movie Info

Synopsis Clark Kellogg (Matthew Broderick) is robbed moments after arriving in New York, so when he sees his mugger several days later, he confronts him. The man promises to return his property and get him a job with his uncle, Carmine Sabatini (Marlon Brando), who turns out to be a Mafia boss. As Clark continues his shady work for Carmine, he discovers an elaborate underworld that has caught the attention of the authorities. As things come to a head, not everything is what it seems.
Director
Andrew Bergman
Producer
Mike Lobell
Screenwriter
Andrew Bergman
Production Co
TriStar Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 20, 1990, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$20.7M
Runtime
1h 42m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo, Dolby
Aspect Ratio
35mm
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