Hopscotch
Director: Ronald Neame
Actors: Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, Sam Waterston
PlotMiles Kendig, a seasoned CIA agent, becomes disillusioned with his superiors and the agency’s bureaucracy. Frustrated after being relegated to a desk job by his incompetent boss, Kendig decides to exact revenge in an unorthodox manner. He goes rogue and begins writing a memoir that exposes the secrets and spitefulness of the agency. To prevent the publication of these damaging revelations, CIA and other international intelligence organizations launch a desperate hunt to locate and apprehend him. Kendig, however, uses his vast experience and cunning to stay one step ahead, distributing chapters of his tell-all manuscript to newspapers across the globe.
The chase becomes increasingly intense as Kendig leads the pursuing agents on a transcontinental cat-and-mouse game, hopping from city to city and using his deep understanding of espionage tactics to evade capture. With each move, he infuriates his former bosses and impresses his allies, particularly his former lover, who becomes entangled in his scheme. Kendig's wit and resourcefulness create a series of humorous and thrilling encounters, constantly keeping his adversaries off-balance. As tensions escalate, both sides must weigh their principles against their ambitions in this high-stakes political escapade.
Writers: Brian Garfield, Bryan Forbes
Release Date: 10 Oct 1980
Runtime: 106 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English, German, French, Russian, Italian
Home Video Reviews
Criterion's Hopscotch Blu-ray, sourced from a solid 2K restored master, offers charming performances, sly humor, excellent A/V presentation, and insightful interviews—highly recommended.
Read our review of Hopscotch Blu-ray to find out more