Today’s quick review: Hopscotch. After decades of loyal work for the CIA, Miles Kendig (Walter Matthau) is kicked to the curb by his ungrateful boss Myerson (Ned Beatty). With nothing left to lose, Kendig decides to publish his memoirs and reveal every embarrassing secret and boondoggle the CIA was ever involved in. As Kendig jaunts around the world writing new chapters, Myerson sends Joe Cutter (Sam Waterson), Kendig’s successor, to catch him.
Hopscotch is a spy comedy about a veterna CIA spy spilling the beans about his former employers. Kendig uses his superior spycraft and a network of contacts, including his old friend Isobel (Glenda Jackson), to run circles around the men sent to catch him. Hopscotch gets most of its appeal from Kendig’s folksy mannerisms and the pranks he plays on Myerson and the others. Solid acting and a charming premise make the movie an enjoyable watch.
Still, Hopscotch has very little of the flashiness associated with the spy genre. Apart from one or two close calls between Kendig and his pursuers, there is little action to speak of. The movie also never makes a point of what secrets Kendig is leaking, only that they are embarrassing to Myerson. As a result, Hopscotch may come across as dry or aimless compared to other movies in the genre.
Hopscotch is a fun pick for viewers who enjoy classic comedies and are willing to let the movie unfold at its own pace. Between Matthau’s performance and the tricks Kendig uses to stay ahead, the movie manages to entertain from start to finish. However, not everyone will enjoy what Hopscotch has to offer, and anyone looking for overt comedy or a high-stakes plot may want to steer clear.
For a slightly darker comedy about a spy publishing his memoirs, check out Burn After Reading. For a more ridiculous spy comedy, check out Get Smart. For a more serious spy thriller about the publication of a book containing state secrets, try The Russia House. For Cold War-era spycraft with a more serious tone, try The Ipcress File or Funeral in Berlin.
[7.2 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080889/). I give it a 7.0 for low-key humor and a pleasant story.