Andy

I caught this once on TV many years ago, and waited for a few years to see it again on TV, and the second viewing confirmed my original impression - a cast of unknowns, headed by Norman Alden, made a beautiful small film that should be released on DVD as soon as possible. Alden played mostly heavies in the films I'd seen him in before, and this was a revelation - he was totally believable and very expressive with his movements, something talented big men can do like no others. The script is almost hyper-realistic, with a good feel for natural language, depending on other characters interactions with Andy to advance each set piece in the film. All in all, a great little independent film.

Greek immigrants in New York City, elderly and poor, consider putting their simple-minded 40-year-old son Andres in a nursing home. It might be the best place for the big-hearted behemoth, who attempts to communicate with the neighborhood kids and the local bar tramp but only ends up staring at everyone wistfully (or, worse, making animal noises). Low-budget drama distributed by Universal was shot on-location by producer-director Richard C. Sarafian, who also wrote the screenplay (and who later told a funny story about an executive at Universal who complained the title "Andy" was too long). It isn't much of a movie--and sadly doesn't showcase a filmmaker with a keen eye or a unique style--but it at least gives character actor Norman Alden a rare leading role. Alden's Andy reminds one of Jackie Gleason's "Gigot", performing mostly in pantomime--but, whereas Gleason was allowed a colorful personality, Alden is meek, miniaturized by the Big City. The gritty street flavor is vividly captured, but interest here is otherwise limited. *1/2 from ****

I don't know anyone who has seen this wonderful film from 1965 starring Norman Alden as a mentally-challenged 40 year old living with his aging parents in New York City. He gives an incredible performance in a career where he usually portrayed stooges and tough guys. Zvee Scooler (the father) is also wonderful. The trials and tribulations of living this man's life in a rough city is played out beautifully. It's not sentimental or looking for easy tears.

An 8 out of 10 for sure. I don't believe it's on DVD or video which is really a shame. I guess I saw this on late-night TV years ago, but always remembered it since I saw Norman Alden filming a commercial in L.A. 30 years ago. I wish they made more films like this nowadays. It's too much to ask for in an American film.

A very fine, forgotten movie that deserves a great deal better than the total obscurity that has shrouded it over the years. After being shown on late-night TV in the early Seventies, Andy just dropped out of sight. And that's a shame. This is really an outstanding movie, filmed on location in New York and featuring excellent performances, particularly by Alden in the lead role. This is what used to be called an "art" movie, receiving limited distribution but often far outclassing the movies of the era. In some respects this film was better than "Charly," the Cliff Robertson film that explored mental retardation several years later.

Andy Chadakis is forty and mentally retarded. He lives with his elderly parents in a modest NYC apartment. This film is a two-day slice of his challenging life.

I can't say how realistic a portrayal this is since no one in my family is mentally retarded. But I do have a child with a mental disability, so I can empathize with two issues central to this film: lack of respect for the disabled and its effect on their self-esteem.

It seems the only people who appreciate Andy are children. As the film opens, a group of children are impressed when Andy dislodges a big board from the riverbank, and tosses it into the river. Later, Andy exchanges smiles through his window with a little girl in an adjoining apartment. This exchange ends abruptly when the girl's mother spots Andy and thereupon shutters the window.

Andy's father, Theo, resents the sacrifice he and his wife have paid for forty years to raise and care for Andy. He tells his wife Tessa `Andy costs us too much.' Tessa usually defends Andy, but even she sometimes loses faith in him.

Theo announces to his wife that it's time Andy should be committed to an asylum. Although Tessa reminds Theo that Andy is retarded not `crazy,' Theo intends to stick to his plan for the two of them to have a better life. Tessa responds `We're the only ones who love him. There is nothing wrong with Andy's mind.'

Andy's encounters outside this home are ugly. He is slighted, teased, used, robbed, and beaten. One of my favorite scenes is Andy's encounter with a blind beggar in the subway. I won't tell when happens, but it may be unique in the cinema.

I appreciated this film despite its mostly downbeat, episodic nature, and, for the most part, lack of plot and dramatic drive. However, I think there may be many `Andy's' (and `Andy's parents') in our society with comparable stories. It's important that we understand and respect them as fellow humans.

I reviewed this movie as part of a project at the Library of Congress. I've named the project FIFTY: 50 Notable Films Forgotten Within 50 Years. As best I can determine, this film, like the other forty-nine I've identified, has not been on video, telecast, or distributed in the U.S. since its original release. In my opinion, it is worthy of being made available again.