Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Walter Matthau | ... | Miles Kendig / James Butler / Mr. Hannaway / Leonard Ross | |
Glenda Jackson | ... | Isobel von Schmidt | |
Sam Waterston | ... | Joe Cutter | |
Ned Beatty | ... | G.P. Myerson | |
Herbert Lom | ... | Mikhail Yaskov | |
![]() |
David Matthau | ... | Leonard Ross |
George Baker | ... | Parker Westlake | |
![]() |
Ivor Roberts | ... | Ludlum |
![]() |
Lucy Saroyan | ... | Carla |
Severn Darden | ... | Maddox | |
George Pravda | ... | Saint Breheret | |
Jacquelyn Hyde | ... | Realtor | |
![]() |
Mike Gwilym | ... | Alfred P. Booker aka Alfie |
![]() |
Terry Beaver | ... | Tobin |
![]() |
Ray Charleson | ... | Clausen |
CIA agent Miles Kendig decides to get out of 'the game' and to ensure he's left alone he threatens to send his memoirs to the world's intelligence agencies. When the CIA doesn't believe him, he calls their bluff and starts writing and sending out chapters one by one. Realizing that their operations would be compromised, the CIA (led by Myerson and Cutter) set out to put an end to Kendig's plan by whatever means necessary. The heart of the movie follows a game of cat and mouse between a fumbling CIA and an artful Kendig. Written by P. Wong <pwong@nt.net>
Hopscotch (1980)
A lightweight, enjoyable entertainment about an aging spy who has fun going renegade in his final weeks.
I have to admit I liked the movie for the congeniality of Walter Matthau. While not as zany (and original) as the much earlier "Charade" (also with Matthau), "Hopscotch" shares a lot of the feel of that movie, with villains who aren't quite villainous, and a leading man who is part bumbling and part a step ahead of the game. The supporting cast is fun, though just barely--both of the key CIA guys after our hero are good actors at their best, but they are not at their best here, especially Sam Waterston in a wishy-washy role. Most peculiar of all, and almost scotch-taped into both the plot and the casting, is very British and very different actress Glenda Jackson, a former spy who chips in as needed, and plays a growing role as things proceed.
British director Ronald Neame (who directed "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" and "The Odessa File") is completely in charge here, making the most of a middling script that uses well worn or barely surprising twists and gags to keep a potentially violent espionage film from ever leaving light comedy. Because in fact the pace is consistent and the filming (under the eye of Arthur Ibbeteson, also British) is completely fine, if nothing to write home about. In fact, this feels like high budget British television, which is something different than pure Hollywood. Or it might feel like 1960 Hollywood widescreen with minor updates--not including the 1960s Hollywood star, Mr. Matthau.
But it is Matthau's movie, fortunately. He can be a convincing bumpkin and a warm hearted fellow, and he can be clever beneath his seeming simplicity. All of this is an advantage here, and you are completely on his side as he thwarts, with winks and tricks, the supposedly superior forces of a full press CIA assault. Expect some fun, and you won't be disappointed.