2013, United States, 83 min.
The death of his wife is hard enough for Max Rose (Jerry Lewis), a former jazz pianist. Then, in the middle of discarding her belongings, Max makes a discovery that casts grave doubts on their 65-year marriage. Max’s emotional turmoil further erodes his already rickety health. His meek, kind, adult granddaughter (Kerry Bishé) and his frustrated son (Kevin Pollak) serve as his support system. They’re also emotional punching bags—you can see the heaviness of that role in every gesture and interaction. Max’s attempt to confirm his past happiness allows him to soothe those relationships and to form new ones. That’s great, but is it enough? What Max Rose lacks in subtlety—Lewis, even in a tortured, dramatic role like this, cannot stop mugging — it makes up for in the title character’s poignant quest to quell the aching of his soul.
