Post by Rob W. Case on Dec 13, 2023 20:57:32 GMT -6
What do you get when you have two old men who have been feuding and fussing for decades? When it is Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau (the original “Odd Couple”), you get a hilarious movie with a lot of surprises, a lot of insults and pranks, and a lot of heart. This is a movie that, once experienced, it grows on you, and is funnier each time you see it.
The Story:
The movie begins in Wabasha, Minnesota, where two old, retired widowers, John Gustafson (Jack Lemmon) and Max Goldman (Walter Matthau), go ice fishing, insult each other, and pull pranks on each other. In other words, they are like a couple of overgrown kids when they get together. Even their friend Chuck (Ossie Davis) absorbs the shocks and the jabs in his bait shop before they go do their fishing. Their feuding and fussing is taken up a notch when a widow named Ariel (Ann Margaret) moves into the neighborhood, and John and Max vie for her affections. John and Max’s efforts turns into a competition replete with more pranks, heavier insults, and creative ways for one to “throw hurdles” into the efforts of the other. Meanwhile, the IRS is after John’s house for income that was mistakenly not claimed, and has accrued many fees, fines, and interest. At the same time, Max’s son Jacob (Kevin Pollak) and John’s daughter Melanie (Daryl Hannah) are hooking up, particularly after Melanie breaks off her marriage with her husband Mike (Christopher MacDonald).
My Take:
I actually saw the second movie, Grumpier Old Men in the theater before I saw this one. My Mom and I wanted to see Grumpier Old Men in 1995, and when my Dad and brothers were out ice skating and playing hockey, my mom and I went to the show to see it. We liked it a lot and thought it was funny. Not long after, I went to the mall, and saw this movie available on VHS and I bought it, taking the risk that my mom and I would like it because we liked the second one so much. So, we watched it, and we both liked it too. Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau were a dynamic comedy duo, and their partnership in comedy films became eventful. Also Burgess Meredith plays John Gustafson’s 90+ year old father, who is very spontaneous in his comments, much like the Sofia character is on The Golden Girls.
This movie takes place around Christmas, so it adds a little something if you watch it around the holidays. The movie is not only funny, but it also has dramatic moments and heart. It is a film that I’ve been wanting to see again after many years of not seeing it. And as it approaches its 30th anniversary, it is the perfect time to either watch it again, or experience it for the first time.
The movie is rated PG-13 and runs 1 hour and 43 minutes.
To view a trailer for the movie, please click on the “Play” button below.
Original Trailer:
Modern Trailer:
Grumpy Old Men is available on physical media formats such as VHS, Laserdisc, DVD, and Blu-Ray, and is also available on multiple streaming sites, all which can be accessed HERE.
The Story:
The movie begins in Wabasha, Minnesota, where two old, retired widowers, John Gustafson (Jack Lemmon) and Max Goldman (Walter Matthau), go ice fishing, insult each other, and pull pranks on each other. In other words, they are like a couple of overgrown kids when they get together. Even their friend Chuck (Ossie Davis) absorbs the shocks and the jabs in his bait shop before they go do their fishing. Their feuding and fussing is taken up a notch when a widow named Ariel (Ann Margaret) moves into the neighborhood, and John and Max vie for her affections. John and Max’s efforts turns into a competition replete with more pranks, heavier insults, and creative ways for one to “throw hurdles” into the efforts of the other. Meanwhile, the IRS is after John’s house for income that was mistakenly not claimed, and has accrued many fees, fines, and interest. At the same time, Max’s son Jacob (Kevin Pollak) and John’s daughter Melanie (Daryl Hannah) are hooking up, particularly after Melanie breaks off her marriage with her husband Mike (Christopher MacDonald).
My Take:
I actually saw the second movie, Grumpier Old Men in the theater before I saw this one. My Mom and I wanted to see Grumpier Old Men in 1995, and when my Dad and brothers were out ice skating and playing hockey, my mom and I went to the show to see it. We liked it a lot and thought it was funny. Not long after, I went to the mall, and saw this movie available on VHS and I bought it, taking the risk that my mom and I would like it because we liked the second one so much. So, we watched it, and we both liked it too. Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau were a dynamic comedy duo, and their partnership in comedy films became eventful. Also Burgess Meredith plays John Gustafson’s 90+ year old father, who is very spontaneous in his comments, much like the Sofia character is on The Golden Girls.
This movie takes place around Christmas, so it adds a little something if you watch it around the holidays. The movie is not only funny, but it also has dramatic moments and heart. It is a film that I’ve been wanting to see again after many years of not seeing it. And as it approaches its 30th anniversary, it is the perfect time to either watch it again, or experience it for the first time.
The movie is rated PG-13 and runs 1 hour and 43 minutes.
To view a trailer for the movie, please click on the “Play” button below.
Original Trailer:
Modern Trailer:
Grumpy Old Men is available on physical media formats such as VHS, Laserdisc, DVD, and Blu-Ray, and is also available on multiple streaming sites, all which can be accessed HERE.