Neil Simon’s Lost in Yonkers

Directed by Martha Coolidge, Neil Simon’s Lost in Yonkers follows two brothers (Brad Stoll’s Jay and Mike Damus’ Arty) as they’re sent to live with their imperious grandmother (Irene Worth) for several months in 1942 – with the narrative detailing the siblings’ exploits alongside such quirky relatives as Mercedes Ruehl’s Aunt Bella and Richard Dreyfuss’ Uncle Louie. Filmmaker Coolidge, armed with Simon’s script, delivers exactly the sort of laid-back, lackadaisical drama one might’ve anticipated based on the setup, and it’s clear, certainly, that the movie benefits from its pervasively affable atmosphere and raft of above-average performances – with, in terms of the latter, the stars’ strong work here going a long way towards compensating for the picture’s less-than-captivating stretches. (Dreyfuss’ predictably enthralling efforts remain a highlight within the proceedings, to be sure.) And although the slightly overlong running time does pave the way for a few lulls, particularly within the meandering opening half hour, Neil Simon’s Lost in Yonkers, buoyed by the inclusion of several admittedly engrossing interludes (eg a heated confrontation between Louie and his nephews), builds towards a satisfying final half hour that ensures it concludes on a positive, engaging note – which cements the film’s place as a decent-enough endeavor that fares about as well as most Simon adaptations.

**1/2 out of ****