RAISING FLAGG

Year: 2006
USA: Cinema Libre Studio
Cast: Alan Arkin, Barbara Dana, Austin Pendleton, Lauren Holly, Glenne Headly, Richard Kind, Matthew Arkin, Daniel Quinn, Stephanie Lemelin, Robert Robertson, Clifton James, Jan Hoag, Dawn Maxey, Robert Blanche, George Fosgate, Lyssa Browne, Jordan Fry
Director: Neal Miller
Country: USA
USA: 102 mins
USA Rated: PG-13 for brief drug content
USA Release Date: 2 February 2007 (Limited Release)


Synopsis

RAISING FLAGG is a zany dramatic comedy about a small-town handyman, Flagg Purdy (Alan Arkin). Lovable but dogmatic, Flagg is easily overwhelmed by life's little annoyances. Only his wife Ada (Barbara Dana) is able to look past his crusty personality to the tender and vulnerable side of the father of their six children. Unfortunately, few of their family share her feelings.

Flagg and his neighbor Gus Falk (Austin Pendleton) have been dogged competitors since childhood, and their feisty relationship is interspersed with eruptions with usually Flagg being the instigator. The latest disagreement reaches boiling point and, devastated by community ridicule, Flagg climbs into bed refusing to leave it insisting instead that he's about to meet his maker.

Appraised of the situation back home the Purdy offspring reluctantly descend on the family farmhouse for the "final rites" -for some it's the first time in years. Their doubts about Flagg's condition generate several plots to raise him from his "deathbed," but the humorous failures only serve to stir long simmering resentments and sibling conflicts. In the end, though, Flagg reunites his family and makes it stronger than ever.