Bye Bye Braverman

This is a quite culturally-specific comedy depicting a milieu that probably no longer quite exists in this form, unfortunately. For this reason, it may be of limited interest to most viewers, but the cast is excellent, especially Sorrell Booke. Rewatching it might well lead to a higher score, given that my distant recollection is that it's actually great.

49.500

Four New York Jewish intellectuals (George Segal, Jack Warden, Joseph Wiseman, and Sorrell Booke) head to the funeral of their suddenly deceased friend; various misadventures and reflections ensue. The script takes too long to set things up and Segal's character gets somewhat more than his share of the material, but the dialogue is often quite funny (when the accents and poor sound quality don't get in the way), with some genuine poignancy on hand; good acting and score as well.

Occasionally engaging and funny but marred by slow pacing. It's certainly not as entertaining as the similarly themed "Husbands" by Cassavetes. Not Lumet's best work by any means, although a pre-Boss Hogg Sorrell Brooke nearly saves this and a brief but welcome appearance by the lovely Jessica Walter is also memorable.