Lost in Yonkers (1993)

Set during world war ii two young brothers are sent to live with their domineering grandmother after their moms death. Their eccentric aunt bella teaches them how to generate love in an atmosphere where it has never been permitted to exist. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 03/22/2005 Starring: Mercedes Ruehl Richard Dreyfuss Run time: 114 minutes Rating: Pg Product Description

The play is better

I bought this to show my students who had just finished reading the play in class. They were mixed and many found the play to be far more entertaining (including myself). February 26, 2008

Okay DVD

This is a wonderful DVD that the older generation would appreciate more than the younger generation. December 5, 2007

Life's Philosophies Abound In This Bright Comedy.

Life is all about making a splash, like a native Yonkers man who helped to start ESPN. In this delightful romp through the days when things were simple, Jay and Artie go to Grandma's and gets lost with so much comings and goings. Aunt Gert talks funny and Bella is the the belle of the ball in every aspect. She takes the two young boys to the ice cream shop in the brownstone where WBXX is up on the roof. She gets all dressed up with white gloves and shoes and hat and has big dreams of getting out of the rat race and having too take care of Momma like she has since the age of twelve. She wants to get married ("I gotta love somebody who'll love me back before I die.") and falls in love with a gangster.

Their uncle Louie is corrupt in a good way; his big yellow convertible is stolen while Artie is trying to run away from home. Louie goes around with his mysterious little black bag acting like Humphrey Bogart and even talks like him (Keep your dukes up.) The boys enjoy watching adult situations they don't understand while their dad is out somewhere trying to find a home for them. Bella has a forty-year-old friend who is the usher at the movies who is illiterate but has a great personality; he needs $5,000 to open up a restaurant where she will be the bookkeeper. You've got to see Bella in the short yellow dress. She is told "You can make it on your own, it just takes moxie." They drink the original Coca-Cola and we will soon know the caffeine content in each Coke product. It's that new Coke Blak which is too strong for public consumption.

Bella is as strong as an ox and says "You don't scare me anymore, Ma." I first saw the play of LOST IN YOUNKERS at a smalltown theater in Fayetteville, Tennessee, and loved to look at theyoung fellow who played Artie. He even sounded like a Yankee. Uncle Louie decides to come to Bella's rescue and in the meantime shows the boys that they need to stop depending on people; you can be lost anywhere, so go out and find your own fortune. At Grandma's, they receive a good education on life. February 27, 2007

Perfect humor to follow a 'heavy movie'

Keep this one on hand for after you've watched a 'heavy' movie and are feeling a bit down because of it. The interaction between the grandmother and her two grandsons who are dropped off so their father can see about a job is fantastic. The grandmother seems 'stern' beyond belief and the young boys are terrified of her, but they are able to discover her hidden layers. There is a touching scene between the dimwitted 'Bella' and her mother that you won't want to miss.
Chrissy K. McVay - Author March 26, 2006

Great play, but the DVD is lacking

Neil Simon's autobiographical play (Lost in Yonkers, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Blioxi Blues, etc.) are wonderfully witty and tragic at times. The balance between them makes his works entertaining and poignant at the same time. Many of his plays have been produced in a theatrical form and do not carry the same weight.

Lost in Yonkers tells the story of two young brothers left with their loony aunt and hardened grandmother for 10 months while their father is making the money to repay a debt during WWII. The characters all have their quirks from Grandma's ability to hear through walls, Aunt Ella's innocent outlook on life, and Artie's timing and wit (reflective of Simon himself).

Unfortunately, this DVD shows only the movie. There are no additional extras and because this review is rating the entire DVD and not just the film itself, I would take off a half star. Although the movie is good, the play is great. Simon wrote for the stage and it can never be captured by cameras. It is still a good addition to your library as everybody can relate to Neil Simon. October 22, 2005

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