Lost in Yonkers

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Lost in Yonkers

PG

Released May 14, 1993

1h 52m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

17 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

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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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

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Entertainment Weekly

Rated: D+

May 14, 1993

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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

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Jon L

I love this movie. It just makes you feel good from beginning to end. Such delightful characters, especially headlined by Mercedes Ruehl and the incomparable Irene Worth. The two boys including the late Brad Stoll and Mike Damus added even more depth to the film; and that's a big deal for me because I'm not typically moved as much by child actors in general.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/02/24

Full Review

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

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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

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Audience Member

Not epic gamer enough

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

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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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
Producer: Ray Stark
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
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Surround

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