Tribute

"Tribute" is a film about dying and regrets...much like "Terms of Endearment". I mention this because if you are depressed, you might want to see this film some other time.

When the story begins, Scottie (Jack Lemmon) is in the hospital for tests and learns that he's dying. Instead of remaining at the hospital and receiving treatment to prolong his life, Scottie leaves. After all, he's not good at facing problems and his estranged son is coming for a visit. And, through the course of the story, you see that Scottie is incredibly superficial and immature....and always jokes about everything...even his own imminent demise. Not surprisingly, a lifetime of this sort of behavior by Scottie makes it tough for his son (Robbie Benson) to care. In fact, in many ways the son hates his father.

The acting in this film is exceptional...and it's not surprising Lemmon received an Oscar nomination for playing the lead. What is surprising is that the Hollywood producers actually chose Lemmon for the role, as too often hit Broadway plays are made into films...with an entirely different cast. Here, however, Lemmon plays the role he originated on Broadway and it's nice to see that they didn't recast this lead.

So is it any good? Yes...very good. It's also not particularly pleasant, as you would expect, and might churn up some memories in some viewers who have parents who are similar to Scottie.

"Tribute" is a wonderful tear-jerker about a father and his estranged son. Benson is good, though his character may be a bit over-the-top cynical. But as usual, Jack Lemmon provides a textbook example of acting without seeming like he's acting, the mark of a great performer.

A beautiful film. Mind you it's a simple film, but a beautiful one and it introduces us to some of Jack Lemmon's best work. By this time, Lemmon was a Hollywood legend. He'd been playing young romantic leads and comic goofs, now was time when he truly started challenging himself and his craft. His Oscar nomination, I would imagine came about because of the end of the film. As Scottie Tempelton slowly walks onto the stage, after a battle with sickness and possible death, he looks on into the audience to find his son and it's one of the most touching moments I have ever experienced. When he yells his son's name and he says that wonderful line "Give me a kiss...right here!" And taps his cheek slowly. As the son goes in to kiss his cheek, Scottie quickly turns and it becomes a kiss on the lips. The moment is so lovely that it's hard to put into words the feelings I have. It was a very special moment for me. Lemmon's performance in this film is very special to me.

I saw Tribute back when it first came out and i found it to be a great movie for me. I was only 22 then, but all my friends told me that i was very much like Scottie Templeton. He was so outgoing and wanted everyone to like him almost too much. But as the movie went on it became sadly obvious that he forgot to get his priorities straight. His family. Now that i am almost 50 (his age), i also have a son who is so much different to me. Just like Judd (Robbie Benson) in the movie. I can relate to both of their roles now even more as my son is very much like Judd. The thing that i got out of this movie was that i was able to make my son my first priority, no matter how different he may be to me. My favourite line was when Jack Lemmon was told in a nice way that "he treats everyone the same, no matter if you are a hooker or family'....that was it for me. Thanks Mr Lemmon and Mr. Benson for letting me better understand who i am today!!

I am bias though because He is my uncle Andy!! I loved him and miss him much these days since his passing. He was a great Actor and loved his craft.He was just starting to get noticed when he died. He did a lot for Canadian Television. My Uncle Andy worked with some great Classic Actors like David Niven. He told me once that Acting was one of the greatest freeing of the soul. and that it gave him great joy! He also had a great love for the theater. He said that true actors never want to be a star they just want to be part of the process. A good actor is a en-sable actor. Its the group that make the greats.

Jimmy Burgess