Themes: Reconciliation, Single Parents, Redemption
Main Cast: Marsha Mason, Jason Robards, Jr., Donald Sutherland, Matthew Broderick, Dody Goodman
Release Year: 1983
Country: US
Run Time: 98 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
Max Dugan (Jason Robards Jr.) is an elderly ne'er-do-well whose tenuous mob connections have made him persona non grata with his daughter Marsha Mason. Struggling to raise her restless son Matthew Broderick on her own, Mason is none too pleased when Max returns to the family fold with yet another portfolio of get-rich-quick schemes. Forced to leave town due to the investigative habits of cop Donald Sutherland, Mason's new boyfriend, Max does one last good deed to renew the faith of the disillusioned-with-life Broderick. Watch for Donald Sutherland's son Kiefer in his film debut, and for former Kansas City Royals' batting coach Charlie Lau in the baseball-game finale. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
As adolescent wish-fulfillment fantasies go, Max Dugan Returns provides an irresistible hook: What if your dumpy house was suddenly populated with enough merchandise to supply a season of Wheel of Fortune prizes? Unfortunately, director Herbert Ross' portrayal of said riches is more compelling than any human component in the picture, and that goes for Jason Robards' vigorous, Howard Hughes-lite turn as the titular benefactor. Neil Simon stalwart Marsha Mason is back in the saddle here as the sensible Nora, caught between her child-like, daughterly love for her father Max and her moral, maternal instincts to Michael (Matthew Broderick, in a memorable debut). But the movie doesn't use its conceit to unearth any universal truths about parents and children, or about the long-buried secrets between this particular pair of them. Instead, what we're left with is a succession of scenes of wide-eyed wonder and awe at stereo equipment, sectional sofas, and Mercedes convertibles. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
Sal Viscuso - Coach Roy; Panchito Gomez - Luis; Billie Bird - Older Woman; Sondra Blake - Teacher; Joey Coleman - 3rd Baseman; Tom Fridley - Steve; Ray Girardin - Umpire; Mari Gorman - Pat; Charley Lau - Himself; Irene Olga Lopez - His Wife; Santos Morales - Grocer; Shelley Morrison - Mother; David Morse - Shoe Store Cop; Lydia Nicole - Celia; Brian Part - Kevin; Tessa Richarde - Blonde in Shoe Store; Thomas Rosales, Jr. - Robber; Tom Spratley - Truck Washer; Jim Staahl - Man in Shoe Store; Kiefer Sutherland - Bill Costello; Duke Stroud; Frank D'Annibale - Bears' Coach; Robert Darcy - Cabbie; Hank McCann; Bill Aylesworth - Chris
Credit
David M. Haber - Art Director, Bob Mackie - Costume Designer, Jack Roe - First Assistant Director, Herbert Ross - Director, Richard Marks - Editor, Roger M. Rothstein - Executive Producer, David Shire - Composer (Music Score), Albert Brenner - Production Designer, David M. Walsh - Cinematographer, Herbert Ross - Producer, Neil Simon - Producer, Roger M. Rothstein - Producer, Kandy Stern - Set Designer, Al Overton, Jr. - Sound/Sound Designer, Neil Simon - Screenwriter
Max Dugan (Jason Robards, Jr.), the long-lost father of Nora McPhee (Marsha Mason), drops in on her as various trials and tribulations have befallen her. With him he brings some promises and the news of his impending death. He also meets and befriends his grandson Michael (Matthew Broderick). Donald Sutherland plays the police officer who helps Nora after her car is stolen and becomes her boyfriend in the process.
Former professional baseball player Charley Lau appears as himself having been hired by Dugan to coach Michael to hit better for his little league team.
This movie marks first of only two times (as of October 2006) that Donald Sutherland and his son Kiefer have appeared together in a dramatic film project; the other is A Time to Kill. (source: IMDB).
Kiefer Sutherland has a bit part, playing one of Michael's friends hanging around out side of his high school. Keifer shares no scene with his father.
Matthew Broderick was casted in this film and Simon's play "Brighton Beach Memoirs" simultaneously.
Matthew's Father, James, died around the time of filming "Max Dugan's Returns". Jason Robards Jr., who knew James and was a friend, really helped Matthew through his grief with the loss of his father.
