Sam & Kate

Sam (Jake Hoffman) has come home to care for his ailing father Bill (Dustin Hoffman). He's taken with book seller Kate (Schuyler Fisk). Bill becomes interested in her mother Tina (Sissy Spacek).

These are two Hollywood legends and their kids. Of the four of them, there is one squeaky wheel. Jake Hoffman is not a big name. His acting is limited. He does fit this slacker loser role. I accept his mistaken donation as the story's need for drama. For his character's sake, he really should have a big cinematic redemption. He should wait at the donation bin for days if necessary to get her stuff back. That's a writing problem. It comes down to Darren Le Gallo's full length debut as a director and as a writer. It's a small story that needs a more skilled hand at the wheel. The two Hollywood legends deliver. Schuyler Fisk should probably do more movies. I'm sure that she's happy with her music career. It's just that she has this adorable coolness that really works on the screen.

I stumbled across this movie today(day of release) by accident and what a delight. I would usually watch the trailer and decide if it is worth a watch but i jumped straight in and it was brilliant. Superb acting from all and a really lovely story. Dustin Hoffman is tremendous as always.

I love the way they have used actual parent and child actors here, makes it more special.

The only downside to this movie is watching dustin as an old man. Its terribly sad seeing him grow old, he's still fantastic and a legendary actor.

A real fantastic piece of cinema that is definitely worth a watch. I'd give it 8/10 .

There are so many positives to this movie, I almost feel bad starting with the poster: it is so misleading!

You look at the poster and you thing this will be just one more of those crazy silly comedies. This couldn't be any farther from the truth.

This movie is deep and thoughtful, with intertwined stories very well connected and rooted in reality.

You watch it and it makes you feel all kinds of emotions:

• there is a light comedy that makes you chuckle on many places and, best of all, it never feels forced.

• there is unlikely romances that you can't foresee how this could possibly happen, and it catches you by surprise slowly developing into something nice and beautiful without any of those "magic moments" that so often happen on rom-coms.

• there is also a bit of drama that makes you cry and feel deeply for the characters and move you along the progression of the story in a very natural way.

In SUMMARY: an almost perfect script, filled with great actors, all very well cast on each role; you'll feel all the emotions and you'll be grateful that you have picked this film to watch at the end.

No expectations, no trailer, little information, romantic comedy.

This movie just popped up, usually I have no interest in this sort of movie and the only draw to it was DH.

For a slow burner the pacing was nice, Goldilocks even.

It's a simple story that would reflect many audience members lives or if not, would have a familiar ring to it for at least one of its story threads.

It doesn't batter you over the head with its themes or narrative and thankfully let's you fill in the blanks and work out the context and conclusions.

The actors are gentle the dialogue is light and witty. Don't expect head thrown back laughter but chuckles and titters, in a good way.

I have done no research but I would be surprised if this didn't come from a small book or short story, possibly an off broadway or festival play. Though I'm probably wrong!

For a lazy warm Sunday afternoon go watch and have a glass of wine!

Some may feel prior to viewing Sam & Kate that the casting of film legends Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek's adult children is a gimmick to garner publicity for the film, and of course it likely was an intended angle. However, Jake Hoffman and Schuyler Fisk are accomplished actors in their own right so the on-screen interactions are very organic and natural and in no way a distraction. One comment I've read is that Schuyler is such a natural, bright light of a presence here and I agree we should see more from her on screen. The story itself is more dramatic than the marketing would lead you to believe, which is so often the case. But the storytelling is first-rate and moves along nicely with some unexpected character developments, even though Dustin's arc is fairly predictable from the start. Spacek has the strongest and most interesting material in my opinion and she performs with her customary charm and understated artistry. It's been a real treat to see some of her later work finally pair her with other film heavyweights such as Robert Duvall, Robert Redford, and now Dustin Hoffman. Overall, a mostly dramatic film with strong and likeable performances carrying the day.