User Reviews

If your looking for a comedy you will be disappointed, however if you want a well acted, poignant drama with some funny lines, than this is worth your time. Peter Falk and D. B. Sweeney, are brilliant together. A sleeper that the critics missed. A word of warning, it is very sad and human.

I find it hard to believe that there are only 16 reviews of this film & that of those 16 all but one is positive, yet this film has such a low rating. I like a lot of Peter Falk's work. I truly LOVE Columbo. It was a great show that is still watchable due to the acting of Falk & the stories. I think the reason I love this film so much is that the character of Rocky somehow reminds me of my own father (who is old enough to be my grandfather) Like Rocky, my father is gruff, stubborn, snores incessantly, & loves his family albeit rarely says it. He shows his love with his actions not his words. Now that I have a son of my own & have my father living with me I hope that one day my son will be able to appreciate this film as I do.

I thought that this was a decent movie, although the title was a bit misleading. I thought the movie was going to be about college roommates or those that met shortly after. I did notice that after seeing the movie that there were many similarities between how family members and standard roommates get along.

I noted the trivial entourage of characters. I somewhat disagree with the above users outlook on Julian Moore. In comparison to other films, I found her performance to be somewhat lacking.

I did however believe that the storyline was quite interesting. I have watched this movie and find it analogous to my roommates online network experience. I mean, did you know that there were places to find people like this. Not to knock these services and believe me, I had a genuinely good experience at www.roommatesonline.net. But I did notice that other places where you could find this type of roommate were lacking in selectivity.

They always say that you can pick and choose your friends/acquaintances, but getting a roommate is often just the same as in this move - you can't quite pick them. And although you might not like them, it seems that the interesting ones keep coming back. I give this movie a 7/10 for effort and a decent storyline.

There was times during "Roommates" when I was reminded of director Yates' 1979 film, "Breaking Away". That, like this movie, was a comedy/drama. But the real difference between the two is how the earlier production struck a believable, painfully human balance, and "Roommates" just barely achieves status quo. It's also somewhat uneven. Early on, it sets out to be a light comedy, with a bit of drama to ground it. This basic tone never shifts, but with the entire third act being so miserable, it's prevented from being convincing. There's no point where it's especially unlikable, just frustrating.

The acting has something to offer, even though I've seen nearly everyone give better performances. Julianne Moore, Ellen Burstyn, Peter Falk - three of my favorites - aren't really offered enough to show their respective talents. Falk, even though he's the star of "Roommates", seems like an afterthought, a minor character who steps in to offer periodical clever quips. And I didn't find the makeup work to be particularly convincing.

An overall problem comes down to the script. Although the film seems long enough, even too long at times, it feels truncated in order to fit in all the chronology. There are breaks of years, seven or five, or however many, and people don't seem to change or age normally. It's like watching a stage play when you know there's been no passage of time, and can't be properly convinced otherwise. "Roommates" is a film that doesn't really know what it is or what it wants to be. The VHS cover shows a scene from the film involving a garden hose. In the photograph, it looks playful. It the actual movie, it is part of a serious argument. That just about sums up the dichotomy that is "Roommates".

Rocky Holzcek (Peter Falk) is a cantankerous Polish immigrant in Pittsburg. His grandson Michael becomes an orphan. He insists on taking in the young kid rather sending him to a home. Years later, Michael (D.B. Sweeney) become an intern doctor and takes in Rocky after the family home is condemned. Michael falls for Beth (Julianne Moore) who has a disapproving mother Judith (Ellen Burstyn).

Growing old is sometimes a less appealing aging story. This is a pretty good one despite a few speed bumps along the way. Rocky's disapproval of Beth seems wrong in terms of story progression. At least, he should foreshadow that stuff by being more religious. I would have liked to see him deal with a black Beth or something more substantial. His fight with Beth comes out of nowhere. There is also an issue with Judith. It's unlikely that a court would pick her unless there is a better reason. These and other bumps keep this from being better.

I found this movie to drag and be quite boring, actually. I didn't get a sense that a whole story was being told, but instead there are a series of situations which come to some vague conclusion or attempt to be funny, and for the most part they are very predictable. Peter Falk's make-up looks very plastic, and is bad enough at times to be distracting.

I must put in a word of defense for this excellent movie, which was sadly underrated by both critics and audiences. The true story - of a Polish baker in Pittsburgh who raised his orphaned grandson at the age of 70+ and put him through medical school - sounds like a formula for sentimentality and cliches. However, the movie transcends that to become a moving story of the strength of family, with many wonderful touches of humor. Peter Falk's portrayal of the irascible, curmudgeonly, and indomitable Rocky Holzcek dominates the movie. We are made to care about all the people portrayed (well, maybe not the mother-in-law). I don't understand the criticism about the movie "not having a story" to tie it together. The changing relationship of Rocky and his family as the years go by has plenty of elements of drama. This movie touched me deeply. It's a real sleeper. I do question why they had to change the family in the original from Jewish to Catholic, but evidently the author was onboard with it.

I am not much of a sappy movie kind of guy, but I for one LOVED this film. Peter Faulk performs splendidly. Although slow in a few parts, the storyline more than makes up for it as it shows the trials and tribulations of family separated and joined together by generational gaps. Julian Moore give a great performance and looks absolutely beautiful in this film, even though her character is not as in depth as the main characters. And DB Sweeny shows that he can have a softer side, as well as a wise cracking smooth talking side. It was a little bit of a stretch from what he is normally known for doing, but he pulled it off very well. Roommates is definitely going into my collection. I give this one 8/10. Bravo guys.

This movie is all about Peter Falk, and what he's capable of when released from his Columbo role. Not that I have anything against Columbo -- it's one of the all-time great cop characters, along with Sgt. Friday and Sipowicz -- but in a police procedural we're mainly interested in what happens next, and any good director keeps that in mind. Here Falk gets to display the breadth and depth of his powers, and keeps us enthralled from the first scene to the last. He was "only" 68 when this film was released, but is convincingly aged during its course from something like 60 up to 107 (yes, really), which is a tribute not only to him but to the formidable makeup department (IMDb lists nine makeup credits). And just because grandfather is such an overpowering character, we shouldn't ignore the fine performances by D.B. Sweeney as his physician-grandson and Julianne Moore as the young social worker. In all, this is a moving story, well made and superbly acted. If you haven't seen it, do.

I think I was about 14 or 15 when I saw this movie for the first time. I also think this was the last movie that actually brought me to tears.

The story of Rocky and his grandson was just so touching. It struck a chord and reminded me of my relationship with my own grandfather. You can't help but love the old fart.

By the time the movie was over I had felt as if these characters had really come to life, especially Rocky. I think that is what is so great about this movie. This crusty old man really grows on you and it's hard to let him go at the end.

This movie is definitely worth renting if you get the chance. A great family movie as well.

I personally found this to be a heartwarming and entertaining tale about a grandson and the grandfather who raised him spanning the course of 30 years. The two men love each other deep down, but clash often. Outside of their relationship other stuff happens. The grandson becomes a heart surgeon and has a family of his own while the grandfather meets various new friends and finds employment in a bakery at an old age, until illness forces him to retire. The roles of the two reverse and the grandson now finds himself caring for the grandfather who once cared for him when he was an orphaned boy. Definitely check this movie out and read the book but be warned it's a tear jerker that will tug at your heart strings.

Roommates is one of my favorite movies. I have no idea why it was largely ignored by critics and the general public as well. The remarkable chemistry between Rocky and his grandson is just incredible. The story never fails to touch me - even after quite a few viewings!

If you think about a "buddy" movie, it can take many forms. Women may see Bette Midler in "Beaches" comforting her friends or Susan Sarandon in "Thelma and Louise" shooting up the Southwest. On the other hand men have the "Lethal Weapon", "Beverly Hills Cop" series where dim witted detectives team up with fast thinking/street smart partners. The formulas are typical and boring. This movie sets the stage for a different type of "buddy" movie. The premise is set right away with Michael Holzcek being orphaned(mother died previously with an illness) when his father dies in Vietnam and no one will raise him except his grandfather Rocky played by Peter Falk who becomes his lifelong buddy/mentor. Rocky is a Polish American in Pittsburg and at the time well past 65 but still working hard as a baker while his contemporaries are retired or dead. He is told that he is too old to raise a kid but "whoa" this senior is on a mission and not done yet! Rocky has his own stubborn ways and the "my way or the highway" philosophy of life. The story unfolds with Rocky teaching Michael the values of family and life. Unfortunately, Michael picks up alot of Rocky's "say it like it is" habits. Along the way, Michael sets out to get his college degree and head off to medical school eventually interning in Columbus, Ohio. Of course, Rocky has to join him in a home shared with Chinese medical students. This part of the movie lends itself to many funny episodes with Rocky trying to "fit in" with the students. Michael's life seems to be in a rut-just work and of course no sleep because Rocky is a horrific snorer. Life stinks until he meets his future wife to be Beth. However, no one is good enough for Michael according to Rocky but eventually Rocky learns to "live and let live" and accept Beth. The marriage develops a number of new situations and it is Beth that teaches Michael the true key to becoming a good doctor,humanity and compassion. I really enjoyed the movie but it was Peter Falk that made the movie. He has an extensive movie history and although known for the extremely successful "Columbo" TV series,he has received many awards and got his first real recognition for the true life based movie "Murder Inc".

"Roomates" has a good story line but there are several "goofs" that prevent it from getting a top rating. Here are my observations.

Although it is an ethnic movie and he was Polish American, there was no hints of Polish culture like food, dance etc. It was like the story was a composite of traits of many ethnic groups and the writers just chose "Polish American" as a label. D.B. Sweeney was not a good choice as Michael, his boyish looks are hard to make him look older as the years advance in the movie. He is also ethnic looking alright-like right out of an Irish movie with his reddish hair. However, a real big "booboo" was when Rocky was doing the laundry at Michael's house,(at this point Michael was married with children and had completed his doctor residency of 8 years)and had to have been 35. Rocky at that point would have been 98 or 100. He was moving around quicker than most 25 year old guys in a boxing match. Also he was a baker all of his life-a grueling, on your feet, all day occupation yet no physical ailments or complaints in the storyline. Falk also had a plastic cap over his head to make him look bald and old but it looked so bad that it reminded you of a game show host from the 70's with a lousy hairpiece("rug"). I recommend this movie and had some of the details been attended to, it would have been outstanding. Perhaps this is the reason that this entertaining film was probably not released in theaters.

I'm from the Pittsburgh area, and moved in 1982. I have lived in many places due to my then spouse being in the military. I received this movie in 2003, and watched with great interest, as it was filmed in Pittsburgh. To summarize, the story is about family tradition,love, and loyalty, and what we do for family in times of crisis that reaches beyond all reason. Love knows no reason, and reason and family got nothing to do with one another."

I watched this movie at random on HBO as a teenager. Loved it. Heart warming. Touching. Sad. But most importantly, Peter Falk showed his range. He was phenomenal.

The film doesn't stray far from it's main plot point, yet seems to maintain a certain level of sincerity without losing the viewers interest.

I met D. B. Sweeney in Afghanistan and mentioned how much I liked it. I could see the light in his eyes. He said, "Really? Wow. I liked that one too! Thank you!"

The relationship between D. B. Sweeney and Peter Falk's characters seemed genuine, despite them being polar opposites. I would recommend this movie. It's disappointing to me to see the rating so low. I wish more people were aware of and had enjoyed this gem as much as I did.

Roommates is a warm, touching movie about family,love, and relationships. I recommend this movie to anyone looking for an entertaining and enjoyable family film. Peter Falk is excellent, as is the supporting cast. This movie was filmed in my hometown, and at the hospital where I worked at the time it was made. This adds interest for me, but anyone can enjoy this heartfelt movie, especially if you were lucky enough to know your grandparents. It is fun to watch relationships develop between two people from different generations. This is handled beautifully in Roommates. The characters are likable and believable, and you care what happens to them.

I didn't think i could become a bigger fan of Peter Falk but this film has proved me wrong. I cant understand why this movie isn't more well known. Peter Falks acting is beyond brilliant in this movie making me laugh and cry uncontrollably. Peter Falks ability to take on different roles is shockingly amazing and until you hear his voice you would not know it was him. This film is definitely in my top 5 favourate films of all time. All of the acting is superb, the story line is detailed and gripping through out. This movie is one that will be remembered by anybody who watches it and one you will tell your friends about. Thank god for old classics such as this. In my opinion this is a must see movie.

Must n watch on any given day.. Its all about family ties.. Specially bout Grandpa.. Their are few cultures in world who still have a great family bonding.. Peter Faulk was so heart warming actor.. Every bit was either funny or close to heart.. What else can you ask for more..

I must admit that this movie started out a bit boring, but after 10 or so minutes it really got into it. Peter Falk is brilliant, poignant and stirring. This movie has it all and more. I wish I could have seen the credits but the screen got somewhat blurry. :) 5 * * * * *'s