Breakinger A Brilliant Conflict

Teddie Blake The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Usamah Harvey The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Brennan Camacho Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

JasparLamarCrabb Who knows if the world was clamoring to see Al Pacino in what is ostensibly a "family film," but AUTHOR AUTHOR is not without it charms. Pacino is a playwright saddled with the five children (only one of which he's fathered) of his nutty wife (Tuesday Weld), who's left him to find bliss with an artist. Pacino is terrific in his unlikely role and director Arthur Hiller brings a very light touch to Israel Horovitz's sometime's rambling screenplay. The kids are appealing and the odd supporting cast is a big plus. Dyan Cannon is a big time actress who, at least temporarily, moves in with Pacino and Alan King is a blustery Broadway producer who blusters A LOT! Despite various lapses in logic (a cab ride from NYC to Gloucester MA!), there's a lot to like here.

leplatypus If you want to know why Pacino is my favorite one, just watch this little movie! OK, this isn't a great drama, the action is scarce, the story seems a bit forgotten, the start is low, but Paccino shines all along.As in the "Godfather" or "Carlito's Way", he is at his best when showing contradictions: he can be very confident and persuasive and in the same time, totally lost and unsure: an American "Romain Duris", my french favorite! With this split, comes his famous broken voice and his legendary angers: terrible and with a minimum of moves! Here, he is a writer but in need of recognition, a good father but a bad husband! And it happens in his town, New-York (try to count his movies outside the big apple and you've got only a handful!).And icing on the cake: First, the kids! they are funny and it would be interesting to see if they got a career! And a time-travel for 25 years! It is always a surprise to see how those 80's movies seems very old now!

pecaro0518 I love this movie because it's a true "feel-good" movie. The kids in the movie certainly steal the show, making us laugh over and over again. We can all relate to some or all of the kids as we're taken back in time to the early 80's. Their innocent insights to grown up situations, as well as their comedic delivery make for a very funny movie. Al Pacino (the author!) leads us through this movie as the caring father of this group of kids, sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always loving, and you simply can't go wrong with Al Pacino! Alan King's dry humor adds a really nice touch to the movie. Take the time to watch this movie with your family, it'll warm all your hearts! My husband and I need to replace our worn out copy, which we never tire of watching over and over.

puffafishrecords Really enjoyed this. It's interesting to see Al doing something a bit 'softer'. As a whole I think the film reflects some concerns with the culture of individualism and addresses them well. The irony is that, as a playwright by profession, the author is by habit the most 'individual' and selfish with his time of all the characters in the film. He spends all his time creating and we are told that he has spent two years working on his play, the production of which marks the beginning of the film. However, during the film, the playwright' s priorities are superseded by the children of his unfaithful and thoroughly horrible wife, who has a blatant, albeit unconscious, disregard for the wellbeing of her offspring. She makes a great speech about how she is 'herself' and 'nothing more' and, in doing so, makes a mockery of the so-called righteousness of individualism. Oh, and there's some good acting by young kids, no mean feat for any director. And it's got good New York Jewish gags that reminded me of 'My Favorite Year'. Bravo! Author, author!