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MAN IN THE CHAIR Send This Review to a Friend
Playing an old codger, especially one who rises from oblivion to help a young fellow accomplish a goal, probably has an irresistible appeal for an actor. Perhaps that is one explanation for Christopher Plummer taking on the role of Flash Madden, once involved in making movies. But if he wanted old, Plummer was better off playing “King Lear,” as he did so brilliantly, in contrast to his role in this dull little movie written and directed by Michael Schroeder.
“Man in the Chair” is about the effort of a 17-year-old Los Angeles student, Cameron Kincaid, played by Michael Angarano, to make a short movie for a school competition. Meeting the forlorn Flash, Cameron breaks down his reluctance and gets him involved in the project. That leads to Flash introducing Cameron to Mickey (M. Emmet Walsh), another movie has-been residing in a nursing home. Cameron sees the opportunity to make a movie exposing the way in which the elderly are treated.
Schroeder sprinkles “Man in a Chair” with movie references apparently meant to lend authenticity. But the situation grows increasingly far-fetched and the characters aren’t very interesting. Plummer is an acting force, but there’s nothing he can do to rescue the drama from the doldrums. An Outsider Pictures and Elbow grease Pictures release.
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