Python Hyena
The Odd Couple (1968): Dir: Gene Saks / Cast: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Monica Evans, Carole Shelley, Herb Edelman: Easily one of the best comedies of the decade. This is a hilarious film about clashing personalities. Felix is divorced and makes failed suicide attempts. Oscar is divorced but spends evenings playing cards with the boys. Felix is fussy and constantly cleaning up while Oscar is sloppy and leaves things as is. Central plot regards Oscar allowing Felix to move in and driving him up the wall with his constant tidying. Director Gene Saks seems to open up what appears to be the inspiration for sitcoms. It is given two hilarious performances from Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Lemmon has sinus issues which also annoys Oscar. Matthau is the straight arrow here who grows irritated when a double date goes sour. Among other roles are two women played by Monica Evans and Carole Shelley who arrive as dates and are swept away with Felix's sob story. They will surface later in the film's final comic payoff. Herb Edelman plays Murray the cop, one of their poker pals who uses his cruiser to search for Felix when the boys worry. Very funny film in that opposites attract or relate manner that most viewers should relate to when being around anyone for lengths of time. The message reflects tolerance of one another and all of our odd traits and habits that conflict with others. Score: 9 / 10
namashi_1
'The Odd Couple' is a stunning comedy, that is boasted by two mesmerizing performances by the late/great Jack Lemmon & the late/great Walter Matthau. Two of the legendary performers go at each-other in this breezy, well-written comedy classic, that hasn't lost its charm even after nearly 5 decades since its release. 'The Odd Couple' Synopsis: Two friends try sharing an apartment, but their ideas of housekeeping and lifestyles are as different as night and day.'The Odd Couple' is pure fun from start to end. I laughed & laughed all through. Neil Simon's Screenplay, which is based upon his Play by the same name, is notoriously funny & well-worded. The camaraderie between Lemmon & Matthau, is the highpoint of the enterprise. Gene Saks's Direction is proficient. Cinematography is vast. Editing is rightly done.And coming back to Lemmon & Matthau, words fail to describe their work here. As best friends turned into foes, both of the blessed talents deliver probably the greatest comedic performances ever. I'm not kidding, their performances here, are simply matchless.Don't waste your time thinking, Watch 'The Odd Couple'. Two Big Thumbs Up!
SnoopyStyle
Felix Ungar (Jack Lemmon) is despondent after his wife left him. He even fails in his suicide attempts. He moves in with his divorced sportswriter friend Oscar Madison (Walter Matthau). Felix is a neat freak and Oscar is a slob. They don't make the best roommate. They are the odd couple. Oscar convinces Felix to go on a double date with the Pigeon sisters. It doesn't go the way Oscar wants which only makes the living situation worst than ever.Jack Lemmon is terrific. His sinus problem is hilarious. The couple has great combative chemistry together. They are some great lines from Neil Simon. The Pigeon sisters send it over the top. In the end, this is the two guys' performances that make it so great.
SmileysWorld
We all have differences with our friends,but those differences never become truly evident until we try to live with each other.Clashes will happen,sooner or later,and this point was never better illustrated than it is in this classic comedy.Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau always had great chemistry on screen,but never more so than they did here.Those who enjoyed the pair in the Grumpy Old Men films,will get a big kick out of seeing the two go at it in earlier days.It was the constant clashing that made them work as a team,if I dare use the term,because they were such great actors individually,that they probably wouldn't have preferred to be called such.Great comedy.
AD
