THE SUNSHINE BOYS

US, 1975, 111 minutes, Colour.
Walter Matthau, George Burns, Richard Benjamin, Lee Meredith, Carol Arthur.
Directed by Herbert Ross.

The Sunshine Boys shows, once again, Neil Simon's skill at ironic one-liners and repartee to the fore, ably spoken and comically dramatised by Walter Matthau as the crustiest and most capricious of has-been actors and George Burns, in his Oscar-winning turn, as his rather more straight-forward (though almost equally crusty) foil. They have been likened to an old odd couple - pathetic figures in many ways, yet not entirely unlikeable. Richard Benjamin is excellent as the long-suffering nephew trying to get the two old-timers to perform one of their old "Sunshine Boys" routines for a TV special. Ironic, with a touch of cruel observation on ageing and actors; and frequently hilarious.
There was a 90s telemovie remake with Woody Allen and Peter Falk.

1. The significance and irony of the title: the emphasis on brightness and youth whereas the themes were darkness and age. The impact of the credits, musical background and song?

2. The New York setting, the way that it was presented, the apartments, the New Jersey homes, streets and parks, the world of the media, auditions and television? was the atmosphere authentic? Did it give background of authenticity for the comedy and the characters?

3. The odd couple structure of the film leading to the dramatic clash of the two old men? The comparison of captors? The quality of the wit and dialogue? The mixture of cruelty and sentiment? How much sympathy did the author have for the two old men?

4. The symbolism of the Sunshine Boys act? Its success in the past and people's memory, the comedian's reputation, the world of vaudeville, the presence of the team to each other and their effect on an audience? How well did they work as a team? (The irony of their private irritation and enmity?) Was the actual sketch humorous when presented on the screen? The significance of old comedians being presented on television for new audiences?

5. Comment on the detail to indicate the private enmity between the two men: the poking, spitting, details of petty jealousy, memories of the past, personality clashes, dislike etc.? The irony of forty-three years of success and eleven years of not speaking? The contradictions in the behaviour towards one another?

6. How well delineated was the character of Willy? Walter Matthau's performance as an older man, depending on make-up and mannerisms, comic style? Living in his apartment, the apartment as visualising him? His fussiness, meanness, not willing to face up to aging, forgetfulness, cantankerous nature? The initial incidents, especially the audition, shocking? Did they make the character credible? Was he in any way sympathetic?

7. The contrast with Al? George Burns and his comic style? The fact that the actor himself was old? The straight comedian, a hard streak in him, yet soft? His deafness and his asking 'what'? His suspicions? His home, his protection of himself?

8. How interesting was the character of Ben? A pleasant nun, trying to do his best as an agent, looking after his uncle and devoted to him, his pains in the chest on Wednesday? To what lengths did he go to help? The effect on him and his life? The sequences of his cajoling his uncle into audition and presentation of his act? Frustration? His interviewing Al at his home and the comedy of this? His diplomacy at the studio? What had he achieved by the end of the film?

9. Comment on the success of the sequences between the comedian couple? The on again off again encounters, acting? Did they really like each other?

10. The background of the minor characters and their contribution: Al's daughter and the TV people and technicians? The people in the real world and not the world of the two old men?

11. The comedy itself leading to irritation and illness? The irony of Al's sending the flowers and Willie's reaction? The comedy of old age and helplessness?

12. The irony of their going to an old people's home together? Did it indicate that they really belonged together?

13. The nostalgia of theatre comedy? The attitude towards persons, age, the pressures of modern life?