An intelligent, thoughtful, extremely well-acted drama. Both Gene Hackman and Melvyn Douglas perform with great restraint, helped by a script that gives them fully-drawn characters to play. The direction, although not the most important element in this type of film, also has its moments, like a visit to an old-age home that is presented as a descent into Hell. But there is a burden that keeps this film from being a really great one; its overwhelming banality. (**1/2)