Harry and Son

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Harry and Son

PG

Released Mar 2, 1984

1h 57m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

30%

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23 Reviews

35%

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100+ Ratings

A construction worker and widower, Harry Keach (Paul Newman) is a no-frills kind of guy, but his artistically inclined son, Howard (Robby Benson), wants to be a writer, causing a rift between the two. Although Howard makes attempts at finding a regular job, he can't help but return to his daydreaming tendencies. As Howard reconnects with his ex-girlfriend Katie Wilowski (Ellen Barkin), Harry becomes closer with her mother, Lilly (Joanne Woodward), bringing both men some degree of happiness.

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Critics Consensus

A mostly outstanding cast is left stranded by an aimless story and Paul Newman's surprisingly undisciplined direction in Harry & Son.

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Eleanor Ringel Cater

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Whatever Newman and co-author Ronald L. Buck were trying to say about the frustrations and fears of growing old and the chasms of the generation gap have been undercut by an assortment of characters who don't seem to exist in the real world.

Jun 1, 2021

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David Pirie

Time Out

The result is a curiously indigestible phenomenon, like being forced to eat five courses of avocado by an overbearing dinner-party host.

Jun 1, 2021

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

Some fine actors, such as Joanne Woodward and Ellen Barkin, are abused by the script. Others, notably Benson, hang themselves.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 1, 2021

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Michael Bronski

Gay Community News (Boston)

Misconceived, badly acted and sloppily directed.

Sep 15, 2022

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Robert Trussell

Kansas City Star

Mr. Newman, who also co-wrote the script, has staged some effective comic scenes in an effort to temper the film's overpowering get-out-your-hand-kerchief conclusion.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 1, 2021

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Karl Vick

Tampa Bay Times

Harry & Son is a male version of Terms of Endearment without the previous film's laughs, poignancy, or sidelong coherence.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 1, 2021

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David K

I just can't get past the acting of Robby Benson. I've heard that it's all about the face, not the words, and if that's true, the guy fails. Every expression is over the top. Golly Gee Whillikers!

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

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steve d

I love Newman but this is one of his worst.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Aging and widowed construction worker finds himself phased out of his job due to heath issues and unable to truly relate with his son or daughter. Newman stars, directs, co-produces and co-writes a film that feels like an aim to create what the later NOBODY'S FOOL would accomplish. For whatever reason, I've never been able to fully appreciate Robby Benson's efforts.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

Paul Newman's triple whammy - not only did he direct one of the worst movies I've ever seen, but he also starred in one of the worst movies I've ever seen - and then he got Robby Benson, as his costar, who just happens to be one of the worst actors I've ever seen. It really is somewhat amazing that an actor can be that bad, while trying.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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Audience Member

I didn't wrote Reviews for 1,5 Years - So 1000 Moviez which are not reviewed because RT was in the Hands of Idiots - Still is Best Example that this Masterpiece has only a Rating of 22%! Me are a Totally Lover of Neo Realism no Matter of Italian or Filipino - Remember also a American Neo Realismo of the 30's - They all were Bombastic! But this one tops them All! The Desperated US of the 30's has even some Hope with New Industries - But Look Today! There isn't a Industry anymore! How Selfish and Materialstic the Protagonists are! Alone of Finicialo Needs! And this is some Coastal Town where the People lay around the Beach! The Illusive Paradise! But then you see all this Rotten Cottages! And just of his Writing Talent which was smirked before they grown Wealthy! Alger is American Fact! And this All with the Typical Newman Humour this Time in his Perfection! I Loved Newman as an Actor but i worship him as a Writer and Director! His Morbid Comedy who is in his Darkness so Hopefull and yet Deprimating!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

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Audience Member

It's an OK movie, but rather boring most of the time. Paul Newman should just stay on screen and leave the work behind the screen to others.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

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Paul Newman

Director

Paul Newman

Harry Keach

Robby Benson

Howard Keach

Joanne Woodward

Lilly

Ellen Barkin

Katie Wilowski

Wilford Brimley

Tom Keach

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Synopsis

A construction worker and widower, Harry Keach (Paul Newman) is a no-frills kind of guy, but his artistically inclined son, Howard (Robby Benson), wants to be a writer, causing a rift between the two. Although Howard makes attempts at finding a regular job, he can't help but return to his daydreaming tendencies. As Howard reconnects with his ex-girlfriend Katie Wilowski (Ellen Barkin), Harry becomes closer with her mother, Lilly (Joanne Woodward), bringing both men some degree of happiness.

Director: Paul Newman
Producer: Paul Newman, Ronald L. Buck
Screenwriter: Ronald Buck, Paul Newman
Production Co: Orion Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 2, 1984, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 9, 2017
Runtime: 1h 57m

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