CIA agent, deemed an over-the-hill insubordinate by his new boss, quits and threatens to write his memoirs, exposing the department's dirty tricks to all the nations. Callow screenplay by Brian Garfield and Bryan Forbes (adapted from Garfield's book) was criticized at the time for turning the original, darker spy material into a lightweight affair retooled for its stars, Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson (reteamed from 1978's "House Calls"); but if the critics were implying that the film was a comedy, they were way off the mark. Matthau and Jackson once again show a nice rapport, but the sharp-tongued dialogue is sniggering and pushy instead of funny, particularly a 'fag' joke that was de rigueur for the early '80s. The film looks terrible in dull browns and olive greens, moves sluggishly, and is filled with characters one would otherwise avoid. *1/2 from ****
Review of Hopscotch
