Review of Grumpy Old Men (1993) by Russell G — 18 Jan 2014
Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau still work very well together. The scenes where they are bickering and prodding each other are completely enjoyable. I just wish the feud between them had escalated more than it did.
The problem with this movie is that the focus gets away from the funny interactions between these two rivaling neighbors. They find themselves caught in a potentially humorous love triangle fighting over a beautiful younger woman.
It is a very promising situation for a comedy, but it veers away from the strengths of the cast. Interactions between Ann-Margret and her two infatuated neighbors are funny at first, but the humor fades as the mood shifts to a deeper serious romantic tone.
Showing the loneliness of each man is necessary in developing the story, but this necessary down note is too much. Donald Petrie's direction fails to keep things simple and light. The cast is excellent and story is pleasant, but the emotions are unbalanced.
This review of Grumpy Old Men (1993) was written by Russell G on 18 Jan 2014.
Grumpy Old Men has generally received positive reviews.
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