Review of Buddy Buddy (1981) by Hannah M — 12 Jun 2009

Most of the time Lemmon and Matthau equals fireworks and although this movie certainly is enjoyable Wilder doesn't really delivers. The overall plot was classic but some comical situations just didn't work for me.

When Lemmon is found strapped to his chair in the bathroom by the maid her reaction is not very believable nor funny. The first part of the movie was good fun but when the action shifted to the clinic of Kinski's character it became a kakaphony.

I thought Paula Prentiss, who portrayed Celia Clooney really did a bad job. Even Lemmon couldn't save the scenes where they both acted in. The sex jokes in the clinic and after fell way flat and were sometimes inappropriate.

Also worth mentioning although seen only a couple of times during the course of the movie was the cop who had to change clothes with the witness. He ruined every joke he was part of, a really terrible performance.

Overall it was the dynamic between Matthau and Lemmon that saved this movie. Kinski only had to act on automatic pilot.