Benny and his wife Ruthie are getting set to drive down to Florida, but Benny needs someone to look after his department store while he's gone. Though he doesn't think much of him, Benny hands the responsibility over to his son, Russell. While Russell doesn't get much respect from his parents, he's better off than his brother, Ezra, whom Benny has gone so far as to disown. Ezra is currently battling with his work (coach of a high school basketball team that hasn't won in ages) and his wife (who keeps nagging him that she wants to have a baby as soon as possible) at the same time.
Acting
Arkin's barely-contained desperation as Ezra, a man drowning in mediocrity.
Direction
Arkin's debut—scrappy, unsparing, clearly personal.
Writing
Robert Klane's script: cruelty dressed as comedy, then back again.
Director
Alan Arkin
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Alan Arkin's sole directorial feature—he never helmed another film, perhaps because nobody let him.
The 1977 department store collapse mirrors the era's retail decline; Benny's 'fire sale' feels prophetic now.
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