The Comeback Trail movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Comeback Trail

In theaters December 18, 2020

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour, 44 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B+

IN A NUTSHELL:

With a powerhouse cast, this comedy pokes fun at the film industry itself. A movie producer who is mixed up with the mob tries to use an aging movie star in an insurance scam, but the plot thickens…

The fun movie is directed by George Gallo. He also wrote the screenplay with Josh Posner based on a 1982 film by Harry Hurwitz. The movie premiered at the 2020 Mill Valley Film Festival. Other than the language, I was extremely entertained.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Profanity, including sooo many F-bombs both spoken and written
Attempted murder
Guns
Alcohol
People in perilous situations

THEMES:

“You have to be what you are. No apology.” – Duke Montana (Tommy Lee Jones)
Dishonesty
Greed
Hope
Friendship

THINGS I LIKED:

The stellar cast includes several Academy Award winners and nominees like Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Emile Hirsch, Tommy Lee Jones, Zach Braff (I loved him in Scrubs- Seasons 1-6), Malcolm Barrett, Patrick Muldoon, Kate Katzman, and so many more Extras who all do a great job. There is great chemistry on screen.
One scene was so touching, a horse shed a tear. True story. ha ha
There’s a female director in the movie who says that she hopes her work will inspire more women to get into filmmaking.
It’s a lot of fun to watch some of these old movie stars working together and dazzling at what they do best. The last time we saw some of these legends together was the 2013 Last Vegas. What’s amazing is that Robert De Niro, Tommy Lee Jones, and Morgan Freeman are equally effective in drama films as they are in comedies. Agism is real in Hollywood, just like in most industries nowadays, so I love that they’re able to pump out movies in their 70s and 80s. All of their movies haven’t been huge hits, but I always enjoy their performances.
The action sequences are hilarious.
You’ll end the movie with a smile on your face.
I’ve always gotten a kick out of the premise of a film made inside a film.
The length of the movie is perfect and doesn’t overstay its welcome.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

It takes a little while to get going but becomes immediately entertaining when Tommy Lee Jones works his magic on the silver screen.
The original movie was set in the 1970s, but this one doesn’t focus very much on that era.
Stereotypes of American Indians and African-Americans.
The movie poster is way too busy.

FUNNY LINES:

“If it’s good, it’s a miracle.” – Max Barber (Robert DeNiro)
“I’m a producer. You can’t always believe every word I say when I’m trying to raise money.” – Max Barber (Robert DeNiro)

INTERESTING LINES: