The Odd Couple (1968)

Release date: 1968-05-16
Country: USA
Language: English
Director: Gene Saks
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Genre: Comedy
Rating: 7.7/10
Length: 1h 45min

Storyline

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.

Plot Keywords

1960s, cigarette smoking, blowing smoke in someone's face, poker game, playing card, card playing, restaurant, pool table, baseball game, diner, alcoholic drink, cigar smoking, based on play, poker, odd couple, roommate, divorce, dating, new york city, attempted suicide

Short Review

Capitalizing on almost every funny line in the play, and keeping physical setups to a wise minimum, playwright-screenwriter Neil Simon and director Gene Saks have adapted to the screen, fidelity-sharp, the embattled hilarity of The Odd Couple.