King of the Gypsies (1978)

Just perfect...

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Life of a young man who wants to escape his "gypsy destiny." He wants to adopt to the American way of life, he has a blonde non-gypsy lover, his dream is to move to California and spend his time surfing (really). He hates and looks down on everything about his gypsy heritage, which is epitomized in the character of his monstrous father. Alas, his responsibility towards his sister means there is no easy escape from his "gypsy destiny." Above summary is the gist of the movie. If such a deplorable premise is not bad enough, the lead actor, Eric Roberts in his screen debut, aggravates this mess with his awful acting, esp. when he is in fits of anger. The guy who plays the bad father does not put up a very bad performance though. Susan Sarandon, who plays the mother, is very good-looking, but she can't help looking fake in all this stereotyping.For Brooke Shields fans like me who may go for this movie just for her: She doesn't appear at all in the first 40 minutes or so and has got three scenes later on. She is largely a bystander in the first two, but has a major presence towards the end. For fairness, the only merit of the movie is the music.

King Zharko Stepanowicz? Not bad for what it is...a lightweight version of THE GODFATHER with Sterling Hayden as a gypsy King who names grandson Eric Roberts his heir, thereby overlooking his son Judd Hirsch. Mayhem ensues. The movie is all over the place and the sloppy direction by Frank Pierson is not helped by a lot of hammy acting. Hayden and Shelley Winters lead the pack, which is no surprise, but to see the usually low-key Hirsch and Susan Sarandon ACTING up a storm as gypsies is really disheartening. Roberts, in his debut, is pretty good...he clearly hadn't developed the weirdly affected style that would sustain him through the likes of RUNAWAY TRAIN and THE POPE OF GREENWICH VILLAGE. This movie was supposed to make him the next John Travolta. It didn't. The supporting cast is a mixed bag including Michael V. Gazzo, Brooke Shields and Annie Potts. There's a very funny scene involving Sarandon trying to retrieve some diamonds she stole with the help of her little son!

I first saw this film at a theatre in 1978 and have only seen it on television once. I can't remember what attracted me to seeing it, but it was a surprisingly good movie. Eric Roberts showed the industry that he can act and be very convincing. The central actors must have studied gypsy life because they pulled it off very well. The film is mostly about the tension of the next successor to the throne (Judd Hirsch) and his son (Eric Roberts) whom the present King (Sterling Hayden) favors as his actual successor. Hirsch plays a cold, scheming character who finally does one of the most despicable acts a person can do, and shows no remorse for it. This, in turn, sparks retaliation from his son. If I ever find it on DVD, it will become part of my collection. I give this film an 8 out of 10.

Everyone should see this movie, I first saw this on TV when I was about 5 years old, I never forgot this movie, it made a lasting impression on me. Judd Hersche, who plays the mean abusive father, is great. It shows him in a opposite light than what everybody is used. The acting and story is superb. Real quick summary: It portrays a steriotypical image of gypsy culture. There is a self proclaimed "King" whom all the gypsies acknowledges. The king has a son, Judd hershe, who assumes he is going to be king, but he's a mean S.O.B, he makes his son, Eric roberts, run away and live on the streets, Eric does not want to have anything to do with the gypsies. The "King" wants him to be the next King of the Gypsies.Just go see it, it's great 4 stars