A Storm in Summer

What a terrific good little surprise this poignant drama starring Peter Falk, one decade before his death. This is also the last film from director Robert Wise. His only TV feature !!! I watched it mainly because it was his. Bob Wise was my all time favourite film maker, because he was damn excellent in any movie, any genre: crime, adventure, horror, science fiction, drama.... And what a wonderful way to close, finish a so long career; he who began his filmography in 1944, and finished it in 2000. Rarely a film maker will have had a so prestigious "statement". Yes, this plot may be cheesy, destined to make audiences weep and weep, but from Robert Wise, I like it. We owe him at least this.

Peter Falk is a grumpy old curmudgeon who owns a small deli in upstate New York. His shiftless nephew Andrew McCarthy agrees to sponsor an inner city kid for two weeks, but forgets to tell Falk and then saddles Falk with Aaron Meeks, a young black kid from NYC, and takes off for Atlantic City.

You already know everything that's going to happen in this. Falk will reject Meeks, but he'll come around and everybody's cold heart will be melted. When you find out that Falk's only son was killed in WWII and Meeks has a brother in Vietnam (this is set in 1969) ... I don't need to connect the dots for you.

This is a remake of a 1970 TV movie written by Rod Serling. I haven't seen the original, but I can say that 30 years later, there's no reason to tell a story this familiar. Falk kind of sleepwalks through this, giving you some grumpy Columbo schtick, but not really stretching and really not giving you any convincing emotions in the weepy finale. McCarthy is kind of fine in a very undemanding role, but Nastassja Kinski is epically miscast as well-meaning upper class socialite.

This really feels like a "I need to keep my union card active" project for Robert Wise.

This is well worth the investment just to see Falk doing what he does best, creating a character who has a history far beyond the spoken words. Robert Wise directs with an eye toward showing us people behaving in natural and very human ways. (Just watch Ruby Dee's short scene in the bus station with her grandson.) The Rod Serling teleplay shows its age with Serling's penchant for inserting a moral in each moment. And yet, it all goes down smoothly. No surprises, no major revelations. Just a reaffirmation of what we all know to be true.

Seldom do you see such a good drama dealing with such heartbreak and emotion without it being filled to the brink with sap. Possibly even more rare, this is a TV-movie that elicits more emotion and has far better direction than many theatrical films, even some of the better ones. Peter Falk once again proves his immense talent with a character far from his portrayal of Columbo. The plot is very good, and as far as I know, quite original(keeping in mind that this is a remake). The pacing is unusually good for a made-for-TV film. The cast is excellent, as is the acting. Peter Falk... what is there really to say? With his talent and charisma, he makes even this character interesting, even though, in the beginning, is almost a modern-day Scrooge, with his hatred for just about everyone and everything. He makes us care about this old man and see through the facade, something very few actors can do, and look at the man underneath, the reason behind the hate. Aaron Meeks, I am impressed. Very few child actors do so well on their first try. The dialog has some truly memorable lines. The film deals with racism and hate in a very good way. It also shows that a big wallet does not mean a big heart. The script is good, and has some new ideas, though the very basis of it is pretty much the typical 'two people from two different worlds' plot. This is one everyone should at least consider watching. I recommend this to fans of dramas and particularly fans of Peter Falk. 8/10

This was a very powerful and touching film. Touching upon what makes a human a better person. Peter Falk and Aaron Meeks are an excellent duo. Robert Wise proves again his timeless directing sense. I do believe everyone should watch this movie and just take in what it has to offer. It will make you laugh, and cry, and appreciate life and what it offers.