GRUMPY OLD MEN
US, 1993, 103 minutes, Colour.
Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ann- Margret, Burgess Meredith, Ossie Davis, Daryl Hannah, Buck Henry, Kevin Pollak, Christopher Mac Donald.
Directed by Donald Petrie.
In 1968, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau made a great impression in the screen version of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple. The interactions, the repartee, the contrast between the obsessive Felix and the slob, Oscar, made for good comedy. The actors appeared in a number of films together, especially for Billy Wilder, over the ensuing years.
They were together in the 90s for this film and its sequel, Grumpier Old Man, as well as and the comedy, Out to Sea.
The film has an interesting cast with Ann- Margret as the glamorous love interest, with Burgess Meredith as Jack Lemmon’s old father, crusty and lascivious, Ossie Davis as the owner of the bait shop, Kevin Pollak as Matthau’s son and Daryl Hannah as Lemmon’s daughter, and a comic turn from Buck Henry as the tax inspector.
The film has a lot interchanges between the two grumpy men, the pranks they play on each other, the romantic interest in Ann- Margret, the rivalry, her final choice.
1. The popularity of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, and on-screen couple for so many years? In their final years? The comic styles, skills?
2. The title, the emphasis on the grumpiness, antagonists since childhood, the photos and stories of the past, the memories? Into adulthood? Into old age? The becoming parents, grandparents?
3. The Minnesota settings, the north of the US, the seasons, the weather, homes, the ice fishing, the markets, the bait shop, the life of the town…? The musical score?
4. John’s story, as a child, marriage, marrying Walter’s flame, the unhappiness in the marriage, the daughter, his living alone, fishing, the insults and pranks with Max, his daughter, his granddaughter, the visit, the separation, the later visit of the husband, and John’s not liking him? The discussions with Jacob? His hopes with his daughter and Jacob? The bait shop, Chuck? Chuck’s death after the evening with Ariel?
5. Max’s story, childhood, his girlfriend, John marrying, his wife, the happy marriage, Jacob as his son, the pranks, the controlling switching John’s television channels, the criticisms, the ice fishing, the fish in the car and the stink, stealing the fish, breaking the reels? The friendship with Chuck? The visit of his son, Jacob running for mayor?
6. Ariel, arrival, their curiosity, watching, in the house, making friends with each of them, the visits, the meals, the window, good company, the reactions? – And the visits, the talk, John and his jealousy, withdrawing? Max and his hopes?
7. The taxman, the visits, the snow falling on his head, John and Max and their denials? His arrival, taking everything from John’s house?
8. Sex, abstinent for a long time, the talk, in the window? John and the dates with Ariel, Max happy, Ariel and her character, discussions with each, choosing John?
9. John’s daughter, the visit, the return with her husband, the continued friendship with Jacob, their being together at the end?
10. The wedding, happiness, jokes – and a sequel?
