Review of The Odd Couple (1968) by Filippo V — 12 May 2017
Felix's (Jack Lemmon) wife has left him and he is contemplating suicide. His friends sense his depression and one of them, Oscar (Walter Matthau), volunteers to take him in until he is fine again. The two of them are like chalk and cheese - Oscar is fun-loving, gregarious and slovenly, Felix is a shy, stay-at-home, obsessive-compulsive neat-freak. Being around Oscar brightens Felix up, but he quickly starts to irritate Oscar...
Adapted by Neil Simon from a play he wrote, a movie that perfectly captures one of cinemas most enduring and prolific comedy duos - Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Though not their first movie together - that honour belongs to Billy Wilder's The Fortune Cookie from 1966 - this is the movie that ensured there'd be more Lemmon-Matthau collaborations.
Both are in fine form here, and are perfectly cast for their roles. Wonderful delivery and sense of timing on both their parts.
Great script too. The dialogue is snappy and very funny, with some great one-liners. Some great sight gags too.
A comedy classic.
This review of The Odd Couple (1968) was written by Filippo V on 12 May 2017.
The Odd Couple has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
