Paul Mazursky
Harry & Tonto

Harry & Tonto.

Harry is an old retiree, Tonto is his cat.

He takes him out on a leash, like a dog.

Harry is alone, his wife has died... he gets by on his pension, lives in a modest apartment in New York, but one day he gets evicted.

He goes to his son's house, but his daughter-in-law doesn't want him there. Harry has other children, so he sets off on a journey (with Tonto) to visit them...

A 1974 film by Paul Mazursky.

It is a poetic, delicate, touching film of rare lightness. Ironic and disenchanted, like our Harry, an old wise man, sharp and straightforward. As for Tonto, well, he has few demands: eating and washing (cats are very clean).

On his journey to Chicago, he will face various adventures, often caused by himself or by Tonto, for instance, when Tonto needs to pee on the bus, Harry forces the driver to stop, creating a big commotion.

On his wanderings, he will meet a curious gallery of characters... from the vitamin salesman (you can take as much vitamin C as you want, but you also have to take D, E, and F... put all the pills in the blender and you'll come out like new) to the old Native American shaman healer, from young hitchhikers to the high-class prostitute... (you're beautiful, but I am old, I don't think that... I've been with men older than you).

Rare lightness, as we said. A dusting of nothing, a fragrance of spring dances harmoniously and serenely throughout the film.

The journey, America, its landscapes, the cat, and humanity... this world that sucks and life that stubbornly remains wonderful. Wonderful like the sweet and melancholic soundtrack that accompanies us like that old aunt we visit after many years, and in her kitchen, there's still that smell of cookies, better than any you've had since...

Harry & Tonto has such a delicate touch (yet so tangible and never overemphasizes, but simply "is") that it transmits an uncommon, indeed unique sense of serenity. No matter how things go, you know that Harry & Tonto will manage because they take life "the right way" and you're with them.

An "Umberto D" stars & stripes that doesn’t oppress, doesn’t break the heart but cradles it with a sweet lullaby, and on that heart, it gently blows, and the heart's dust dances in the air, drawing distracted and harmonious geometries.

An American jewel, a secret fairy tale without an end, neither sad nor happy...