Harry and Tonto, the film

Harry and Tonto released in 1974 won Art Carney the Academy Award for best actor in 1975 is the story about Harry Combs, a retired treacher in his 70s, who is evicted from his life long home when his apartment building in New York City is demolished for a parking lot.

Harry is forced to adapt to a changing world and find a new place in it. He is a resilient man who is not ready to isolate himself from life withdrawing into the ambivalently caring arms of one of his three adult children.

This story has a lot to teach about how older parents can maintain healthy and functional relationships with their adult children. It also has a lot to teach about the importance of our relationships as human beings with animals, in this case a cat, Tonto, whom Harry dotes on and talks to as if the cat were a conscious witness to his life.

This movie is respectful of the third stage of life and is not condescending, patronizing, or sentimental. Harry maintains his dignity, self respect, and self determination throughout.

This film would be a good point of discussion for Social Work students studying gerontology and family therapy.

I am glad I finally watched it after it being out for over 38 years. It is as relevant today as it was when it was released in 1974.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it.