Flores e Espinhos

The first, last, and only time that I ever saw "Boardwalk" was on cable back in 1990 when I was staying in a hotel in Santa Monica, California, looking for a new place to live after I had received my transfer orders from my employer to relocate from New York City to California. I was able to relate to this movie, because I had gone through some of the horrendous experiences during the 4 years I had lived in New York City that the elderly people did in this movie. What was so noteworthy about this film is that it did not sensationalize on urban violence the way that other movies set in the Big Apple had done in recent years. It told the God's honest truth about living in a neighborhood in New York City that once was nice and was now gradually going to Hell in a handbag; as in here is New York, either take it or leave it and leave New York. In watching this movie, I found it admirable that no matter how rough things got, Lee Strasberg and Ruth Gordon stood up to the local thugs and refused to leave their Brooklyn neighborhood and everything else that they had worked so hard for behind. I also liked seeing Ruth Gordon play a good person for a change after having seen her play a creepy, sinister role in "Rosemary's Baby" back in 1968. I was a naive Southern boy from Virginia when I moved to New York City back in 1986, only 7 years after this movie was released, and I never realized back then how much of a shock I was in for. Therefore, I would recommend anyone who is contemplating moving to New York City and has never lived in a big city before to see this movie. Don't get me wrong. New York City had its rewarding moments for me when I lived there, but I wish I had been a lot more streetwise than I was before I moved there. People who think that New York City is this flashy, exciting place where one finds overnight success and grandeur to the extent that they wish to move there will have a much different outlook on it once they have seen this movie. By no standards was this movie politically incorrect about minorities. In fact, there was even a scene in it in which Lee Strasberg defends an African-American married couple next door against his daughter's racist remarks, because even though this married couple had recently moved from the ghetto into Lee Strasberg's neighborhood, they had already showed themselves to be decent, honest, law-abiding citizens who were willing to play by the rules to better themselves socially and economically. They even go as far as providing first aid to Lee Strasberg after he gets into a violent confrontation with local thugs who are terrorizing the community. This movie is a must-see.

"Boardwalk" is what I would call a blessed movie. It is blessed with a cast that simply excels. Ruth Gordon and Lee Strasberg as David and Becky Rosen work together like they have been married fifty years, even though it's just in the movie. This is Lee Strasberg's opportunity to make an acting statement and he does so with a huge exclamation point. I also must mention that "Boardwalk" is one of the most effectively edited films I have ever seen. What may seem abrupt to some is in reality moving things along, otherwise you would have a story that might be too long. The Coney Island locations are another plus, remembering in this wonderful film a bygone era. All I can say is see this movie, and don't forget to bring plenty of tissues. - MERK

Stephen Verona co-wrote and directed this story about an elderly married couple living in a decaying New York neighborhood near Coney Island who refuse to relocate despite escalating crime and racial tensions. Low-budget film from I.T.C. doesn't have an exploitation gimmick (on the level of, say, "Death Wish") to lean on, therefore it didn't reach many audiences. Both Lee Strasberg and Ruth Gordon do first-rate work, but the glumness of the concept and Verona's need for his slim plot to come full circle to make a point results in a very depressing experience. Janet Leigh has a smaller role as the couple's daughter, and her eagerness with this dramatic material is heightened by Verona's unsubtle handling (it isn't one of her better performances). The picture stays in the mind through a few pointed scenes and images, but "Boardwalk" is too static to make a greater impact. *1/2 from ****

Well paced and well acted story of old couple living in Coney Island in a decaying neighborhood with hoodlums. A portrait of NYC in the 1970s. Also very heavy on Jewish content, this movie would be worth of inclusion in a Jewish film festival. A surprise! Worth a watch, especially if you like the gritty 70s feel.

The acting was great, one of the best films I've seen, and a true emotional roller coaster of a ride...a neat little twist at the end. The film can be very shocking in places, but what's so good is that it contains no special effects, just purely great acting and direction.