Popi

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Starring: Alan Arkin
Rated: G (General Audience)
Type: DVD
Directed By: Arthur Hiller
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Release Date: 2003-04-01
Running Time: 113 minutes
A Golden Globe-nominated*, lustrous performance by Alan Arkin highlights [this] well-done ethnic comedy-drama (Blockbuster Entertainment Guide) about an eccentric father with an outrageous scheme to give his sons a better life. Arkin is 'superb (Los Angeles Times) as Abraham, a single Puerto Rican father struggling to raise his two sons. But as he watches his boys slide deeper into the ghetto, Abraham seizes on an outlandish plan to give his boys a better life: He sets them adrift in a boat off the Florida coast, hoping that they will be rescued and raised by a wealthy family! But when his kids are taken in by the authorities and he is declared an unfit father, Abraham takes a courageous standrisking everythingfor the chance to hold on to the one thing he loves themost his family. *1969

Full-screen and 1.85:1
"Popi" was made in 1.85:1 ratio, but the DVD has it listed as full-screen. Why? I will wait until it is released in the format that the director intended. (Even "The Shadow," with Alec Baldwin is in full-screen and yes, I'll wait for that one too to come out as it was made, not shadowed on either side!) I want to buy them both, but I guess wait forever!!!

What a waste
The reviewer who got the defective DVD is definitely the winner here. I had to stop after 30 minutes and find something better to watch.

I was willing to forget that 90% of the so-called Puerto Ricans acted Jewish. Really, I was. Give me a good story and I'll overlook bad performances. But all I saw was a bunch of ethnic stereotypes shouting and slapping each other without a single laugh in the thing.

Popi
Defective DVD. Would not play in DVD player. Freezes up.
DVD player says to eject. Did not work in two different
players. I have seen the movie on another occasion. It
was a well done cute movie but made in a 1960's - 1970's
style.

Great Movie.
Good acting. The kids were great.
Need more movies like this
Great movie for whole family.
Enjoyed it.

Wonderful independent film
Alan Arkin is stunning as a Spanish Harlem father of two pre-teenage boys - this film was made years before the Elian Gonzales event, and I'm sure you can find the plot elsewhere- but this is a warm, insightful and at times biting movie that becomes poignant as well. Rita Moreno is fine in a supporting role, but the film belongs to Arkin, one of the finest underrated American actors.