Roommates MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 Content: -1 1/2

When his mother dies soon after his father's death, young Michael Holzeck says he feels like he is bad luck. However, when his aunts and uncles debate how he will be cared for, his crusty old Polish grandfather, Rocky (Peter Falk), announces with stern finality that Michael will come to live with him. Over the years, they become close companions and ardent gin rummy players right up to the time that Michael enters medical school. Years later, Michael (D. B. Sweeney) moves to Columbus, Ohio, to be a medical intern and before long Rocky must come to live with him. They become roommates along with three Chinese medical students in a dilapidated old apartment. At first, Rocky doesn't like the "communist" medical students, but eventually delights in teaching them how to play poker. Things get even more cozy when Michael brings his new girlfriend, Beth (Julianne Moore), home one night for some quick sex, but they are interrupted by Rocky. Michael and Beth are destined for marriage and a family, but also some difficult times. Stubborn old Rocky steals the show with his humorous crankiness making ROOMMATES a pleasant, satisfying movie going experience.

Rocky exemplifies the traditional, old world values of family loyalty, hard work and premarital chastity. When the relatives want to put young Michael in an orphanage, Rocky won't allow it. And even though Rocky is well advanced in age, he insists on having a job. Coming from a traditional Catholic background, he speaks of Catholic nuns with great respect. When Michael sneaks Beth into the apartment for sex, Rocky is angry and wants Michael to have a "nice girl." In true contemporary style, Beth argues that men and women who like each other can sleep together, and she and Michael live together on weekends. Although Rocky is very blunt and opinionated, he's a good role model for just about everybody except for his uninhibited use of profanity, crudities and an occasional obscenity. Like Rocky, Michael has a good marriage and a loving family. A number of positive, traditional values shine through in ROOMMATES, but Rocky's foul words seriously pollute the dialogue.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Buena Vista Distribution, 3900 W. Alameda Ave., Burbank, CA 91521