The 1993 spin on male rivalry, Grumpy Old Men, is hitting stores today (July 7th) on Blu-Ray. One of the all-time duos, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau deliver a unique mix of cranky, old loner and hormonal skirt-chaser in a film that manages a lot of laughs and an interesting perspective.
Fine-tuning their love-hate relationship for decades, John and Max hurl insults at each other nearly to the point of exhaustion, but still manage to fish very near each other. When Ann-Margaret moves to the neighborhood, the rivalry cranks up a few notches, and soon the two are pulling no punches in their bid to one-up each other.
Helping things along is Ann-Margaret’s youthful spirit, not to mention the fact that she’s playing up the boys a bit. Daryl Hannah and Kevin Pollack add to the mix in solid supporting roles.
It’s a film that gave romantic comedy a whole new meaning. Lemmon and Matthau are able to play off each other perfectly, and with the kind of timing that can only come from years working with each other.
The film is unfortunately directed by Donald Petrie, who has rather famously brought us the most painfully average efforts since the mid-80s Mystic Pizza, and continuing right on through to Welcome to Mooseport and Just My Luck.
Fortunately, there isn’t much he can do to this one, and though the title doesn’t quite stand out as a classic, it’s a comfortable, solid effort that rewards a revisit once in a while.
The Blu-Ray delivers on the quality you’d expect, though there are unfortunately no special features apart from the trailer.
Own it on Blu-Ray July 7th!
Here are a couple of clips to refresh your memory. Leave a comment and you’re entered to win your own Blu-Ray copy. Winner randomly selected July 31st. You must be in the U.S. or Canada to win.
[quicktime]http://www.areyouscreening.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/gom_room_for_both_of_us_qt_300.smil[/quicktime] [quicktime]http://www.areyouscreening.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/gom_she_seems_to_know_you_qt_300.smil[/quicktime]
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I liked this movie when it came out. I'm unsure what the incentive is, for those who have it on DVD (I don't, ironically) to get it on blu-ray.
I liked this movie when it came out. I'm unsure what the incentive is, for those who have it on DVD (I don't, ironically) to get it on blu-ray.
I am a huge Jack Lemmon fan. I ahve everything he has done that is available on DVD, except this movie. I never could find the DVD in widescreen (I don't think they ever released it in widescreen), so I am excited about getting it on blu-ray.
Thanks for the update.
Ugh. “have” — I wish I could edit that.
I am a huge Jack Lemmon fan. I ahve everything he has done that is available on DVD, except this movie. I never could find the DVD in widescreen (I don't think they ever released it in widescreen), so I am excited about getting it on blu-ray.
Thanks for the update.
Ugh. “have” — I wish I could edit that.
Bah. We don't stand on ceremony here… it's just a blog.
Thanks very much for all your kind comments.
Bah. We don't stand on ceremony here… it's just a blog.
Thanks very much for all your kind comments.
I've watched this movie since I was 6 years old. It was the first movie I ever saw with Jack Lemmon or Walter Matthau. It's absolutely perfect in every way. It's filmed on location and there are alot of good and bad memorys Jack and Walter had during the shooting. Walter Matthau got pneumonia from the temperature on most of the shooting days and him and Jack Lemmon would share a giant coat to keep warm. I've seen nearly all Jack Lemmons films and nearly all Walter Matthaus films and I just got to say that this film still wins my favorite Lemmon and Matthau collaboration. I also love The Odd Couple and The Fortune Cookie but I grew up with this movie and there's just something about it that I love. Most comedy's have gag after gag after gag. What makes a great comedy like Grumpy Old Men is that it has a great story and funny lines delivered by great actors. I just have to tell you one of my favorite parts in the movie that proves you can get a huge laugh from doing almost nothing at all which is genius. Walter Matthaus dead-pan face after he gets sprayed with the hose. Thank you for letting me talk to you about this film and i'll be sure to buy this on blu-ray even if I don't win. It's worth every penny.
I've watched this movie since I was 6 years old. It was the first movie I ever saw with Jack Lemmon or Walter Matthau. It's absolutely perfect in every way. It's filmed on location and there are alot of good and bad memorys Jack and Walter had during the shooting. Walter Matthau got pneumonia from the temperature on most of the shooting days and him and Jack Lemmon would share a giant coat to keep warm. I've seen nearly all Jack Lemmons films and nearly all Walter Matthaus films and I just got to say that this film still wins my favorite Lemmon and Matthau collaboration. I also love The Odd Couple and The Fortune Cookie but I grew up with this movie and there's just something about it that I love. Most comedy's have gag after gag after gag. What makes a great comedy like Grumpy Old Men is that it has a great story and funny lines delivered by great actors. I just have to tell you one of my favorite parts in the movie that proves you can get a huge laugh from doing almost nothing at all which is genius. Walter Matthaus dead-pan face after he gets sprayed with the hose. Thank you for letting me talk to you about this film and i'll be sure to buy this on blu-ray even if I don't win. It's worth every penny.
I love that movie!
I love that movie!
Who won the blu-ray?
Sean, the second comment above.
or, it seems that might be you.
Who won the blu-ray?
Sean, the second comment above.
or, it seems that might be you.
Who won the blu-ray?
Sean, the second comment above.
or, it seems that might be you.