“You don’t throw away old people,” Lewis says is the message of “Max Rose,” which marks his first appearance in a feature film in 18 years (that film being 1995’s “Funny Bones”).
Lewis, 87, has not let age slow him down. In addition to “Max Rose,” he is busy bringing his classic 1963 comedy “The Nutty Professor” to Broadway this spring. Lewis will direct the musical, which had its out-of-town tryout in Nashville, and features a score by the late Marvin Hamlisch and book and lyrics by Rupert Holmes.
France has always revered Lewis more than the United States ever has. He was awarded that country’s Legion of Honor on his 80th birthday in 2006. He will also be honored with a tribute at Cannes this summer.
“Max Rose” is written and directed by Daniel Noah, and also stars Kerry Bishé, Kevin Pollak, Illeana Douglas, Fred Willard, Claire Bloom, Mort Sahl, and Dean Stockwell, who replaced Ben Gazzara, who died before filming began.