Watch Things Change

Things Change is a heartwarming and humorous film from 1988 directed by David Mamet and starring Don Ameche, Joe Mantegna, and Robert Prosky. The story follows the unlikely friendship that forms between two very different men - one a lowly shoeshiner named Gino (played by Mantegna) and the other a wealthy, aged retiree named Mr. Green (Ameche).

Gino is a small-time crook who finds himself in hot water with the law after being falsely accused of a crime. It is Mr. Green who comes to Gino's aid by providing him with an alibi during a police investigation. As a result, the two men find themselves bound by a secret that must be upheld at any cost.

Mr. Green is an aging patriarch who has amassed a fortune over the years. He owns a luxurious hotel in Lake Tahoe where he and his cronies spend their days playing cards and sipping Scotch. One day, Mr. Green is approached by a group of mobsters who want to use his hotel for their upcoming meeting. Unwilling to risk his reputation by associating with the mob, Mr. Green enlists Gino to pose as him during the meeting in order to avoid any negative fallout.

As Gino slips into the role of Mr. Green, he begins to enjoy the trappings of wealth and privilege that come with the job. However, he soon discovers that he has bitten off more than he can chew when the mobsters' plans go awry and he finds himself in over his head. The consequences of his actions threaten to destroy not only himself but Mr. Green and everything he has worked for.

The movie's central theme is about the importance of character and integrity. Both of these concepts are explored through the various interactions between the characters. Gino, for example, is a man who is initially willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. He has a criminal background and is not above lying or stealing to make ends meet. However, after his encounter with Mr. Green, he begins to realize that there is more to life than just money and material comforts. He begins to appreciate the value of honor and loyalty and begins to see himself as a person of worth.

Mr. Green, on the other hand, is a man who has lived his life according to a strict code of ethics. He has always believed that honesty and hard work are the keys to success. However, as he approaches the end of his life, he begins to feel a sense of regret for all the things he has missed out on. He sees in Gino a chance to live vicariously through someone else and relish in the moments he has longed for but never experienced.

The film's plot is both tightly woven and cleverly constructed. It manages to balance elements of humor with serious social commentary without ever losing sight of its central message. The performances of the cast are exceptional, with Ameche and Mantegna delivering standout performances that are both nuanced and heartfelt.

Overall, Things Change is a highly enjoyable cinematic experience that manages to be both charming and thought-provoking at the same time. Its themes may be universal, but the execution is what leaves a lasting impression. It's a movie that will leave you feeling uplifted and optimistic about the power of human connection and the importance of staying true to oneself.

Things Change is a 1988 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 71.