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Max Dugan Returns

Play trailer Poster for Max Dugan Returns PG Released Mar 25, 1983 1h 38m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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71% Tomatometer 14 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Aging con artist Max Dugan (Jason Robards) never spent much time with his family, but when he learns that he is fatally ill, he chooses to visit his daughter, Nora (Marsha Mason). Now an adult with a son of her own, Nora hasn't seen much of her father since she was a young child. Her son, Michael (Matthew Broderick), who has never met Max, takes an immediate liking to his grandfather; however, Nora's new boyfriend, Brian (Donald Sutherland), a police officer, is suspicious of the old man.
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Max Dugan Returns

Critics Reviews

View All (14) Critics Reviews
Variety Staff Variety A consistently happy comedic fable which should please romanticists drawn to a teaming of Neil Simon, Marsha Mason and Herbert Ross. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Simon's gift also is his downfall. He's so good at writing lightweight dialogue that it all begins to sound the same. Rated: 2.5/4 Oct 23, 2004 Full Review Janet Maslin New York Times There are certainly some questionable ingredients to the story, but you're not likely to notice them while the film is under way. You're likely to be laughing. Rated: 3.5/5 Aug 30, 2004 Full Review Richard Freedman Newhouse News Service Ultimately, watching Max Dugan Returns is like being assaulted by one street corner Santa Clause after another. May 13, 2020 Full Review Diego Galán El Pais (Spain) Max Dugan Returns could have become an interesting story, but it is limited to being a sketch, a simple starting point. [Full Review in Spanish] Sep 4, 2019 Full Review TV Guide This sentimental outing was written by Neil Simon and stars Marsha Mason as Nora, a single parent trying to raise her son Michael (Matthew Broderick). Rated: 2/4 Oct 26, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (47) audience reviews
Audience Member Matthew Broderick, the late Jason Robards, Donald Sutherland, and Marsha Masons How do things go back to normal after someone you know or barely know returns? An aging con artist named Max Dugan rarely spent time with his family Upon learning he is severely ill he decides to go see his daughter, Nora Nora has a son Michael but she's very estranged with Max since her childhood years Michael though has taken a liking to him But when Nora starts dating a detective Brian he starts to become very suspicious of his intentions Nora has precious values she teaches to her students as well as her son so she doesn't want anyone corrupting them Can they have a working relationship or will Max go back to his old habits? A majority of this is a slow crawl and we spend so much time in the household But everyone involved is good with their roles There's some good redemption at the film's ending for Max though I also admire the animated opening and closing credits Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/25/24 Full Review S R A decent family comedy that had some funny parts, but it's not one I need to see again. Saw on TCM. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 12/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Matthew Broderick, the late Jason Robards, Donald Sutherland, and Marsha Masons How do things go back to normal after someone you know or barely know returns? An aging con artist named Max Dugan rarely spent time with his family Upon learning he is severely ill he decides to go see his daughter, Nora Nora has a son Michael but she's very estranged with Max since her childhood years Michael though has taken a liking to him But when Nora starts dating a detective Brian he starts to become very suspicious of his intentions Nora has precious values she teaches to her students as well as her son so she doesn't want anyone corrupting them Can they have a working relationship or will Max go back to his old habits? A majority of this is a slow crawl and we spend so much time in the household But everyone involved is good with their roles There's some good redemption at the film's ending for Max though I also admire the animated opening and closing credits Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/25/23 Full Review Frances H Mediocre at best. The script is just not funny. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/30/16 Full Review Audience Member At times funny with a cleverly written script, formulaic points and appealing cast, but it's also affective as in you'll feel Mason's character's stress levels. (B) (Full review coming soon) Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member I guess you'd enjoy it if you're a fan of Matthew Broderick. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Max Dugan Returns

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Movie Info

Synopsis Aging con artist Max Dugan (Jason Robards) never spent much time with his family, but when he learns that he is fatally ill, he chooses to visit his daughter, Nora (Marsha Mason). Now an adult with a son of her own, Nora hasn't seen much of her father since she was a young child. Her son, Michael (Matthew Broderick), who has never met Max, takes an immediate liking to his grandfather; however, Nora's new boyfriend, Brian (Donald Sutherland), a police officer, is suspicious of the old man.
Director
Herbert Ross
Producer
Neil Simon, Herbert Ross
Screenwriter
Neil Simon
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 25, 1983, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 11, 2010
Runtime
1h 38m
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