SYNOPSIS
The 1968 classic comedy based on Neil Simon’s Broadway smash about two divorced best friends who become roommates with disastrous results is given a new 2-disc packaging.
CRITIQUE
The inspired pairing of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau initially took place in 1966’s Billy Wilder comedy “The Fortune Cookie” (which Matthau won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar; a rarity for the Academy to bestow upon), but it was solidified in this genius adaptation of Neil Simon’s comedy classic about two best friend/poker buddies Felix Ungar (Lemmon at his fussbudget best) and Oscar Madison (Matthau forever iconicized in this performance) who decide it’s best to room together in the latter’s spacious eight-room (!) Upper West Side apartment in NYC after Felix’ marriage has ended.
Madison’s divorce acts as a harbinger of doom for his friend as the two attempt to live together and share expenses but both get more than they bargained for: Felix is a neat-freak and Oscar is a bonafide slob; both unable (and unwilling) to change their habits. What results in hilarity is one of the most cherished American films of all time.
The comic duo of Lemmon and Matthau make the roomies truly memorable and indelible impressions made (witness Felix’ non-stop cleaning while Oscar realizes just what he’s gotten himself into by carefully throwing a handful of cigarettes into the air as he’s explaining how ironic it truly is the two have one for the other and there’s no imminent escape plan on the horizon), largely thanks to the shrewd direction by long-time theater helmsman Gene Saks and of course the easily quotable dialogue from Simon, the pre-imminent scribe of his lifetime.
A perfect sample of dialogue is when Oscar finally tellis Felix he’s fed up: “I can't take it anymore, Felix, I'm cracking up. Everything you do irritates me. And when you're not here, the things I know you're gonna do when you come in irritate me. You leave me little notes on my pillow. Told you 158 times I can't stand little notes on my pillow. "We're all out of cornflakes. F.U." Took me three hours to figure out F.U. was Felix Ungar!”)
This is one of my favorite films of all time and subsequently one of my favorite TV series as well (for those of you who are in the know with MovieFreak.com, I had the honor of critiquing all five seasons of the classic sitcom starring Tony Randall and Jack Klugman as Felix and Oscar) and every time I watch it I laugh or smile broadly at the antics of the pair of truly amazing performances – like two jazz musicians jamming - with Lemmon’s neurotic nutcase Felix bringing true pathos (particularly in the Pigeon Sisters sequence) and Matthau’s world-weary Basset Hound mug slyly slow-burning in a classic “what-can-you-do” look to his whole sloppy demeanor. In a word: masterful.
THE VIDEO
A pristine transfer that looks wet and fresh as if just made with a vivid picture.
THE AUDIO
Dolby Digital 5.1 in English Surround with French & Spanish Mono with corresponding subtitles; sounds wonderful.
THE EXTRAS
Disc One: Audio Commentary with Chris Lemmon & Charlie Matthau:
The legendary actors’ adult kids share fond memories of their famous dads and discuss the filmmaking process with some tasty tidbits. Originally conceived with Frank Sinatra and Jackie Gleason as Felix and Oscar!; wisely convinced by Lemmon to re-think the casting with him and Matthau, who reprised his Broadway performance. (His co-bill with Art Carney has various reports of why Carney was not cast; a. he simply passed and b. the studio suits’ didn’t think Carney was box office.)
Disc Two:
Five Featurettes:
“In the Beginning”
“Matthau & Lemmon”
“Memories from the Set”
“Inside The Odd Couple”
“The Odd Couple: A Classic”
All are variations on a theme: basically the origins of the play to the silver screen, fond recollections of its stars by co-stars David Scheiner (poker buddy Roy) and Carole Shelley (who portrayed Cecily Pigeon; trivia note she and co-star Monica, who played Gwendolyn, played their parts in all incarnations: stage, screen & TV!) and the film’s director Saks, and many of the items their sons have reminisced about in the commentaries.
Galleries: Production & Movie: Publicity stills on and off the set of the film.
Theatrical Trailer: The film’s original trailer as seen in theaters.
FINAL THOUGHTS
A must for any serious fan of film comedy; for others a must to rent to see what funny really is.
