Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

Kotch Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 3, 2019

Making his directorial debut, Jack Lemmon certainly didn’t want to risk much with 1971’s “Kotch.” Instead of reaching into the unknown to cast the effort, he went to frequent collaborator Walter Matthau to star in the picture, also hiring wife Felicia Farr for a supporting role. Lemmon’s caution is the smart play, as Matthau delivers a wonderfully animated performance, carrying the production with an atypically optimistic turn as a senior citizen trying to figure out his place in the world, giving Lemmon plenty to work with.

Joseph Kotcher (Walter Matthau) is a man getting up in years, taxing his son, Gerald (Charles Aidman), and daughter-in-law, Wilma (Felicia Farr), with his loquacious ways, living a life of constant conversation and occasional mischief. His love for Duncan, his grandson, is strong, but Kotch feels pressure from Gerald and Wilma, who want to move him from their house into a retirement community, trying to get him out of their hair as parental duties take over. Taking the hint, Kotch elects to break away from his family, soon pairing up with Erica (Deborah Winters), Duncan’s former nanny who’s newly pregnant and without many options, in need of support from a man who has nothing but time to spend and wisdom to share.

An adaptation of a book by Katherine Topkins, “Kotch” isn’t a depressing summary of a senior citizen losing himself to the pains of aging. Instead, Kotch remains capable, with a stable mind and body, but can’t keep up with the times, finding innocent behavior condemned and his presence in Gerald’s household unwelcome. Lemmon soon oversees something of a road movie with “Kotch” as the granddad takes a bus tour to collect himself, but the material eventually settles into a buddy comedy of sorts, with Kotch finding an ideal match in Erica, who’s just as uptight as he is, matching him with rambling thoughts, only hers are anchored to the reality of pregnancy, leaving the older man to try and support his friend during this confusing time. Adding to the poignancy of the match are Kotch’s flashbacks to life with his deceased wife, recalling the loving purpose he once enjoyed and cruelly lost.

Kotch Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Boasting a "Brand new HD master from a 4K scan of the original camera negative," "Kotch" comes to Blu-ray looking as sharp as can be. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is nicely detailed, with particular texture on Matthau's appearance, showcasing the limits of his old age make-up. Costumes and knitting projects are fibrous, and Palm Springs locations add dimension. Colors are refreshed comfortably, protecting the original cinematography, which favors brighter greenery and clothing. Delineation has no issues, preserving frame information. Grain is filmic. Some very mild scratches are detected along the way.

Kotch Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix provides satisfactory support of dialogue exchanges, which retain thespian delivery, preserving nuances and the specifics of the monologuing. Scoring is also clear, with appealing instrumentation, allowing for a musical mood to pick the movie up during montages and the main titles. Atmospherics are basic but effective, capturing the bustle of parks and city life. Hiss is found throughout the listening event.

Kotch Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Lee Gambin and Emma Westwood.

• And a Promotional Trailer (2:58, HD) is included, featuring comedic interplay between Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.

Kotch Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Lemmon brings heart to "Kotch," but it's not a tearjerker. Matthau gets in a few laughs and plenty of character-based fussiness to block potential syrup, while Winters matches him well, mirroring her co-star's restless energy. "Kotch" doesn't attempt to cut deep, but there are an enormous amount of quirks and habits to enjoy, especially when Kotch and Erica elect to live together for a stretch, creating a family experience that recalibrates both their lives. Lemmon never directed another feature after this, clearly not enthused with the experience of managing his own production. It's a shame too, as he does well with the modest goals of the picture, and he pulls something special out of Matthau, giving the actor a chance to stretch in a film that takes its time exploring such a particular personality.