I've always compared death to leaving town. There are sad goodbyes, but there is also that promise of "Till we meet again". Jack Lemmon, an aging retired professor, is dying of ASL and the profile of him on TV gets the attention of one of his self proclaimed favorite students (Hank Azaria). Even though it's been 16 years, Lemmon recognizes him immediately and demands a hug. He begins to share his fears, his regrets, his triumphs and his desires for those last days. Bonnie Bartlett, his positive attitude filled wife, shares his strengths, while it takes Azaria finds the whole subject of mortality out of his grasp.
"I've been young. I know how miserable it is to be young", Lemmon says in one of his many philosophical moments, and after a while, you want to begin to write them down and share them. The subject of death isn't quite the conversation you most likely won't have over lunch or cocktails, but ultimately, it's one that should be shared...before its too late.
So young and dashing in the 1950's, cynical and world weary in the 1960's and '70s, alternately cranky or wise afterwards. That was the career of Jack Lemmon, and by this time, he was one of the most beloved veterans still working. His screen presence is as passionate here as it was when he threw Cagney's palm tree overboard in "Mister Roberts". Hank Azaria, completely different than anything I've ever seen him in, is getting a master's class, and how I would like to be in his shores, listening to Lemmon's stories, both as Morrie and Jack.
Flashbacks to Morrie's youth are profound and poignant. This is a story, not just about accepting death, but realizing how important you must cherish every moment of life. It does get very intense every now and then, but one thing it avoids is being preachy. The biggest lesson Azaria learns is that when you help others, you really help yourself.
"I've been young. I know how miserable it is to be young", Lemmon says in one of his many philosophical moments, and after a while, you want to begin to write them down and share them. The subject of death isn't quite the conversation you most likely won't have over lunch or cocktails, but ultimately, it's one that should be shared...before its too late.
So young and dashing in the 1950's, cynical and world weary in the 1960's and '70s, alternately cranky or wise afterwards. That was the career of Jack Lemmon, and by this time, he was one of the most beloved veterans still working. His screen presence is as passionate here as it was when he threw Cagney's palm tree overboard in "Mister Roberts". Hank Azaria, completely different than anything I've ever seen him in, is getting a master's class, and how I would like to be in his shores, listening to Lemmon's stories, both as Morrie and Jack.
Flashbacks to Morrie's youth are profound and poignant. This is a story, not just about accepting death, but realizing how important you must cherish every moment of life. It does get very intense every now and then, but one thing it avoids is being preachy. The biggest lesson Azaria learns is that when you help others, you really help yourself.