Lost in Yonkers

PG

Released May 14, 1993

1 hr. 52 min.

Drama

List

71%

17 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

During the 1940s, Jay (Mike Damus) and Arty (Brad Stoll) find their lives turned upside down when their father moves south for work, leaving them with their no-nonsense grandmother (Irene Worth) and their loving but absent-minded spinster aunt, Bella (Mercedes Ruehl). Along the way, they're also introduced to Uncle Louie (Richard Dreyfuss), a small-time crook. Underlying tension between Bella and her mother surface when Bella decides to marry her boyfriend, Johnny (David Strathairn).

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Richard F

I'm very surprised that that award winning play by Neil Simon didn't win an Oscar. It's such a heartfelt story and so well acted and produced. It's full of humanity, humor and tragedy. Check it out!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Based on Neil Simon's play of the same name directed by Martha Coolidge Starring Mercedes Ruehl and Richard Dreyfuss Even a grown up can get lost in their own hometown In the 1940s two boys and their father move south from the Bronx after their mother dies They reluctantly live with their stern grandmother but aunt Bella is there too She looks grown up but has the mind and emotions of a child She truly wants her own independence and dreams free of her grandmother's constraints The music is very kooky in parts and we spend so much time in this candy shop residence But Mercedes Ruehl shines so much in this So much melodrama it almost never takes a break But these two young boys learn to be brave in their own way after Aunt Bella asserts herself Everybody here finds their own discoveries, victories, over life and handicaps even autocracy A matriarchal figure might seem rough around the edges but it's necessary to have those around grow from it

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/14/23

Full Review

Steve D

I wasn't even impressed with the acting.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

s r

Made me want to see the play version. It was good, but a little confusing. Good acting. It was a sentimental coming of age story based in the 20s. The pictures made me think it was contemporary. Saw it on TCM.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Not epic gamer enough

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The only things really going for this schmaltzy and emotionally unearned screen adaptation are Simon's dialogue and some (in a vacuum) strong characters, especially the grandma, aunt and younger brother. Otherwise, director Coolidge just can't seem to really grasp the unique tone of the story. Too heavy when it should be light (inter-family relationships), and too light when it should be heavy (the mafia threat). Worst of all, Dreyfuss is wasted and horribly miscast. Not a disaster, but as close as Simon gets.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

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Martha Coolidge

Director

Richard Dreyfuss

Uncle Louie

Mercedes Ruehl

Bella Kurnitz

Irene Worth

Grandma Kurnitz

David Strathairn

Johnny

Brad Stoll

Jay

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James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The film is a series of small discoveries and victories, over life, over handicaps, and especially over Grandma's autocracy.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The pic seems too calculating and doesn't have the same stunning effect as the play.

Rated: B-

Jan 25, 2015

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 1/5

Jul 4, 2005

Full Review

Shawn Bowers

Kansas City Star

A good example of fleshing out a single set play into a film would be Steel Magnolias...Yonkers just doesn't pull it off.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 16, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

During the 1940s, Jay (Mike Damus) and Arty (Brad Stoll) find their lives turned upside down when their father moves south for work, leaving them with their no-nonsense grandmother (Irene Worth) and their loving but absent-minded spinster aunt, Bella (Mercedes Ruehl). Along the way, they're also introduced to Uncle Louie (Richard Dreyfuss), a small-time crook. Underlying tension between Bella and her mother surface when Bella decides to marry her boyfriend, Johnny (David Strathairn).

Director: Martha Coolidge
Executive Producer: Joseph M. Caracciolo
Screenwriter: Neil Simon
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Columbia Tristar
Production Co: Rastar Pictures, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 14, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.1M
Sound Mix: Surround

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