I'm Not Rappaport MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -1 1/2

Walter Matthau plays a Walter Mitty kind of guy who acts out his fantasies, pretending to be "somebody" because he's been "nobody" for 80 years. Midge Carter (Ossie Davis), an elderly and almost blind superintendent of an apartment building in New York City, just wants to keep his job. The two form a rather hostile friendship as they share a park bench in Central Park. Once Matthau pretends to be a consumer's advocate in the neighborhood deli. Later he poses as a civil rights lawyer threatening to sue Midge's employer for firing him, and even tries to convince a dangerous drug dealer he's an organized crime mob boss. Not until the final few minutes do we learn Matthau's real name is Nat Moyer. Nat's successful grown daughter gets bizarre phone calls with messages for whoever Nat says he is on any given day. Poor befuddled Midge cannot rid himself of this "friend." Their bickering is hilarious, their refusal to just fade away admirable, and their bravery as they confront criminals foolish. I'm Not Rappaport, based on a prize-winning play, is a very clever, touching film.

For some reason, the film industry believes men over 65 have an affinity for obscenities and profanities. The s-word is used 13 times and regular profanity 11 times. In one comical scene Nat introduces Midge to medicinal marijuana as they share a "joint," giggling like two mischievous kids. As Nat imagines himself capable of protecting a young lady in the park from the clutches of an evil drug dealer, he almost gets Midge killed. In fact, Midge winds up in the hospital for several weeks. The girl had been slapped and her nose bloodied by the villain. Nat's deceptions and bizarre behavior create a dilemma for his daughter, who worries about her dad. He refuses any help from her until he understands she really cares about him. This film gives insight into the plight of folks like Midge and Nat who want to be independent, but who don't seem to fit in today's society. As Nat says, "The problem's not that life is short but that it's very long." Only foul language makes I'm Not Rappaport unsuitable.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Gramercy Pictures, 9247 Alden Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210