Running almost exclusively on bad taste, Carl Reiner's way ahead of its time comedy is a must see. George Segal is a lawyer at this wits end dealing with senile mother Ruth Gordon. He fantasizes about having her committed or even murdered. He attempts to scare her to death but fails at every turn. His brother, loony Ron Leibman is of no help. Nurse and babysitter Trish van Devere finally helps Segal figure things out. There's so much black humor thrown at you, it's almost breathless and there's no topic off limits...rape, homosexuality, kidnapping, elderly abuse...and on & on. Segal is perfect in his role as a walking nervous breakdown & van Devere is ravishing (even while telling of the very disturbing reason for her failed marriage). Gordon steals the film and is both comic and disturbing. Some of her behavior is beyond outré...catch her suckling at Segal's bare bottom! It's as cringe inducing as it is hysterical. Paul Sorvino and Vincent Gardenia has very unsettling cameos.
Review of Where's Poppa?
