Rocket Gibraltar (1988)

 Wonderful
This is a film I watch when I'm in the mood for a poignant, feel-good movie. Macauly Culkin was marvelous, and it's one of my favorite Burt Lancaster movies. The topic of death isn't always easy to weave into a movie plot, but this one has a twist that makes the viewers ponder about how they would want to go out of this world. April 24, 2008

 Bad Worms
Inspired by the reviewer that wondered why more people don't review this wonderful film - I decided to do so, to help spread the word.

Very few films I've seen in my lifetime can create goosebumps with just a thought, but Rocket Gibraltar is one of them. The entire film seems like a far-away dream about a family you may have had in another lifetime. I first saw this film in high school, and I remember the entire class yawning when it first started, but quite a few of us were captivated by the end.

It's a film that, if watched in the right setting and with the right attitude, will stick with you for a lifetime. To this day, I still want to go out exactly as Levi (Lancaster) does at the end.

The film gets a 5 out of 5 from me, but I had to knock off a star on my overall rating, due to the fact that the DVD is full-frame instead of it's OAR of widescreen. April 22, 2008

 Rocket Gribaltar
This is one of the most heartwarming and delightful movies I have ever seen.It is funny in parts, sad in parts, but Hollywood at its very best. However, keep some Kleenex handy during the final scene because your eyes will well up with tears. A truly great movie for children and adults alike. May 12, 2007

 Rocket Gibraltar
It is one of, if not the, last Burt Lancaster films. I was especially moved by the ending. It has a great story line probably better than Henry Fonda's "On Golden Pond" as it reflects how people really interact at family gatherings. Unfortunately it did not receive the recognition it deserves at awards, although it was widely acclaimed by critics. January 18, 2007

 NEVER ENOUGH SEA IN MY LIFE . . . will death bring compensation?
Every so often I check what folks write about this movie and still cannot believe how few people have submitted reviews - - fourteen since 2002? It should be a top choice in several categories: *facing the end of life* - - *intergenerational relationships* - - *having one's dying wishes respected?*

*Rocket Gibraltar* is so special that people who believe in its message must become evangelistic in the best sense of that word - - *go forth* to their friends and neighbors, urging them to watch & discuss. Burt Lancaster is a marvel, portraying the grandfather facing death. He convinces his young grandkids (the youngest, Macaulay Culkin, gives a wonderfully dear performance) that they can help give him his dreamed-of "send-off" . . . His idealism (romanticism, if you like) would never receive the approval of his adult children who are at the beach for a family celebration of their dad's 77th birthday. Viewers don't have to agree with the father's desires, or his offsprings' reactions to learn a lot from this movie. The commotion of such gatherings is perfectly shown, and also the noisy busyness of their lives that overwhelms the loving but weary father.

Death is an appropriate time for sadness, but even more for thoughtful gratitude. Reviewer mcHAIKU gives all available stars to *Rocket Gibraltar* as a movie to re-visit regularly. On mchaiku's profile page there is a list naming a few other titles to watch on a regular basis; for example *BRAT FARRAR*(disgustingly NOT yet a dvd).



June 25, 2006

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