Jon Voight is an actor whom I have never quite decided about. And, in this film he demonstrates why. There are occasional scenes I just don't buy, and other scenes where I think he is quite remarkable. This film and "Conrack" are my two favorite Voight performances, and I think it's because in both he plays against the character we usually think of him being.
I enjoyed this film when I first saw it back in 1983, and was pleased to see it out in Blu Ray now (in 2017) from Kino-Lorber Video. However, the film suffers a bit from deterioration, and it is particularly noticeable in the most dramatic sequence in the film. That is not to say that you shouldn't buy or watch the film...it is still very enjoyable...but you may find it a bit distracting.
In this film a "part-time father" (Voight) decides to take his 3 children (2 are biologically his, the third is adopted) on a trip to Egypt and other places via a cruise ship. He learns (once again) that maybe he doesn't have what is needed to be a real father. During the cruise he learns that the children's mother (his former wife) has died in a car accident. Should the children go back to their step-father (who loves them; played by Richard Crenna), or should he try to gain custody of them? Key here are the performances, particularly of the children. Ronana Zal as the daughter is superb. As is Roby Kiger as the young son, who suffers from a learning handicap. Son Hoang Bui is the adopted son, and he seemed a little stiff here. Richard Crenna, who was generally quite a good character actor in his more mature years, wasn't as impressive here as I have sometimes seen him. However, it's a very controlled performance and he manages to not come across as the heavy. French actress Marie-Christine Barrault as a sort of combination love-interest and friend-life-coach does nicely.
I still like this film, just as I remembered liking it 34 years ago. Recommended.
I enjoyed this film when I first saw it back in 1983, and was pleased to see it out in Blu Ray now (in 2017) from Kino-Lorber Video. However, the film suffers a bit from deterioration, and it is particularly noticeable in the most dramatic sequence in the film. That is not to say that you shouldn't buy or watch the film...it is still very enjoyable...but you may find it a bit distracting.
In this film a "part-time father" (Voight) decides to take his 3 children (2 are biologically his, the third is adopted) on a trip to Egypt and other places via a cruise ship. He learns (once again) that maybe he doesn't have what is needed to be a real father. During the cruise he learns that the children's mother (his former wife) has died in a car accident. Should the children go back to their step-father (who loves them; played by Richard Crenna), or should he try to gain custody of them? Key here are the performances, particularly of the children. Ronana Zal as the daughter is superb. As is Roby Kiger as the young son, who suffers from a learning handicap. Son Hoang Bui is the adopted son, and he seemed a little stiff here. Richard Crenna, who was generally quite a good character actor in his more mature years, wasn't as impressive here as I have sometimes seen him. However, it's a very controlled performance and he manages to not come across as the heavy. French actress Marie-Christine Barrault as a sort of combination love-interest and friend-life-coach does nicely.
I still like this film, just as I remembered liking it 34 years ago. Recommended.