Amos

AMOS was a surprisingly effective TV-movie which owes a lot to ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, but stands on its own as competent little shocker. Kirk Douglas, who ironically starred in CUCKOO'S NEST on Broadway, plays the title role here, a cantankerous senior citizen who finds himself committed to a senior citizens facility that is run by an iron-fisted nurse (Elizabeth Montgomery)who Amos suspects is over stepping the bounds of her authority by physically abusing the clients and robbing them of their life savings. Stanley Gordon West's strong teleplay is an asset,but what makes this film sizzle is the cat and mouse game between Amos and the head nurse, who Montgomery bone-chillingly brings to life in one of her best performances, burying her Samantha Stephens image forever. Strong support is also provided by screen veterans Dorothy McGuire, Pat Morita, and Ray Walston but it is the Emmy-nominated performances by Douglas and Montgomery that are the main selling points here. It's no CUCKOO'S NEST, but it is an entertaining second cousin.

This movie isn't the greatest ever, but it's good if you're bored and happen to have it around. Elizabeth Montgomery is (as usual) wonderful in her role, although decidedly evil. Don't see this movie the same way I did, while waiting to go in for day surgery. Daisy is one nurse you do not want looking after you!

Kirk Douglas plays the title role in made for television film Amos, a film where he finally transitions into playing senior citizens which he would do the rest of his career. Who knows, at 96 he might yet have another role in him.

After losing his wife and home in a tragedy, Douglas is forced into a nursing home run by Elizabeth Montgomery. The sweet and wholesome Samantha Stevens gives way to Nurse Ratched's mentor Daisy Dawes. She runs the home with a corrupt iron hand. She encourages the staff to be cruel and vicious to the residents if they make a complaint.

The infirmities of old age are truly explored in this film. Douglas is a former athletic coach and presumably in good shape. But even he's a victim of the staff and Montgomery.

Such familiar faces as Pat Morita, Ray Walston, and Dorothy McGuire are other residents who Douglas sacrifices for to bring them respect and justice.

Abuses of senior citizen homes was a hot topic back in those times and Amos was both timely and entertaining. Kirk was great in the part, but the real revelation in this film was how evil Liz Montgomery could play.

While there are tons of movies about old folks in senior homes to choose from, if you want one with a bit of a spooky flavor to it, rent Amos. Kirk Douglas, Ray Walston, Pat Morita, and Dorothy Maguire are in a senior home, but the head nurse, Elizabeth Montgomery, isn't nearly as sweet as she appears to outsiders. . .

A lot of these types of movies are "old folks still got it" movies, but Amos differs from the usual themes. Kirk Douglas and his "inmates" are abused and, for the most part, are trapped from rebelling against the head nurse, rather like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. If you feel like I do about Kirk Douglas, you might want to look away when he gets ruffed up by Elizabeth Montgomery's goons. Then again, even if you don't remember him from his hunky days, who likes to watch older folks get beat up?

Amos isn't the best senior-cast film I've seen, and in general, I watch a lot of them. It's meant to be exciting-and at times it is-but all in all, it's mostly sad. You're better off renting films with younger versions of the stars, unless you go in for depressing old-people movies, like Wrestling Ernest Hemingway.

This TV movie has excellent acting and a sad commentary on senior care facilities. Kirk Douglas plays a retired baseball player who, after a car accident (that kills his wife) is sent to a old folks home by his kids. Once there he suffers just about every indignity you can imagine. Elizabeth Montgomery plays head nurse who would rather kill off the patients than spend the money required to keep them alive. Ms. Montgomery is brilliant in this role. I don't want to give away any plot twists but there are a few. The best scenes in this movie are between stubborn "Amos Lasher" (Kirk) and "Daisy Daws" (Liz) who butt heads more than once. Dorothy McGuire gives a touching performance as a lonely woman who falls for Amos. Not only good drama but a movie with a social message as well regarding the treatment of our senior citizens.