Elliott Gould Portrays Fred in “Fred Won`t Move Out.”

September 21, 2012
For Adults and Their Parents, a Difficult Crossroads
STEPHEN HOLDEN
Film Review
Elliott Gould’s septuagenarian
character in “Fred Won’t Move
Out” is as blunt as the movie’s
title. When he barks, “I’m not
going,” he means it. Having lived
in the same suburban house for
more than 50 years with his wife,
Susan (Judith Roberts), who has
Alzheimer’s, Fred, who has difficulty walking, refuses to accept
the reality that their days of living
independently are over.
VALENTINA CANIGLIA/VIRGIL FILMS & ENTERTAINMENT
Elliott Gould Portrays Fred in
“Fred Won’t Move Out.”
When their children — Bob (Fred
Melamed), a gruff filmmaker, and Carol (Stephanie Roth Haberle), a psychotherapist — visit,
they hope to persuade Fred to join Susan in an assisted-living center. Bob doesn’t mince words.
In this semi-autobiographical film, written and directed by Richard Ledes, the obvious father-son
similarity is one of many pluses.
Except for a subplot about a missing cat that suggests that Fred may be considerably dottier
than he appears, the movie gets almost everything right about the uncomfortable moment when
grown children are forced to be their parents’ parents. Its poignancy is distilled in a scene in
which a music therapist leads three generations of the family in singing “Pack Up Your Troubles
in Your Old Kit-Bag,” “Ain’t We Got Fun?” and “By the Light of the Silvery Moon.” As long as
she is singing, Susan is radiantly happy.
Fred Won’t Move Out
Opens on Friday in Brooklyn.
Written and directed by Richard Ledes; director of photography, Valentina Caniglia; edited by Pete Street;
music by Robert Miller; production design by Brian Rzepka; costumes by Tere Duncan; produced by Ged
Dickersin. At the BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Avenue, at Ashland Place, Fort Greene, Brooklyn.
Running time: 1 hour 14 minutes. This film is not rated.
WITH: Elliott Gould (Fred), Fred Melamed (Bob), Stephanie Roth Haberle (Carole), Judith Roberts
(Susan), Mfoniso Udofia (Victoria), Ariana Altman (the Captain), Robert Miller (the Music Therapist) and
Richard Ledes (the Jogger).