I'm Not Rappaport is a 1996 American buddycomedy drama film[1] written and directed by Herb Gardner, and starring Walter Matthau and Ossie Davis. Based on Gardner's play, the film focuses on two elderly New York City men—Nat Moyer, a cantankerous left-wingJew, and Midge Carter, an African American man—who spend their days sitting on a bench in Central Park, trying to mask the realities of aging, mainly through the tall tales that Nat spins.
In the park every morning, elderly, half-blind Midge Carter tries to read his newspaper but is distracted daily by Nat Moyer, an opinionated elderly old man who reminisces about his old labor union, his socialist/communist activities, and the love of his life.
Midge is the superintendent of a residential building and has been trying to steer clear of tenant Pete Danforth, whose committee is pushing for Midge's retirement. Nat insists that Midge stand up for his rights, going as far as to present himself as Midge's attorney.
Nat's married daughter Clara is concerned about his welfare, particularly because of how vulnerable a senior citizen can be in Central Park. She has good reason to worry because Nat encounters the Cowboy, a drug dealer who is owed money by a young woman named Laurie, and by J.C., a mugger who turns violent when Nat unwisely decides to fight back.
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The film touches on several issues, including society's treatment of the aged, the difficulties of dealing with adult children who think that they know what is best for their parents, and the dangers that lurk in urban areas.
Its title is derived from an old vaudeville joke, a variation of which evolved into dialogue between the two protagonists.
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 2½ stars out of 4, and felt that the film diverged too far from the play, writing, "If they'd stayed on the bench and just talked--talked for two solid hours--it might have been more successful. Instead, writer-director Herb Gardner loses faith in his original impulse and adds plot--way too much plot--to force the movie into more conventional channels."[3]
USA Today critic Andy Seiler wrote, "Director Herb Gardner is a little too fond of writer Herb Gardner's script, which just keeps going and going and going -- until even two old pros such as Walter and Ossie have worn out their welcome."[2]
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