The Odd Couple - made in 1968 and still one of the funniest films ever.

Introduction -

If you want a real laugh, you could no better than seek this gem out.

Name of film: The Odd Couple

Director: Gene Saks

Year: 1968

Official Poster

Trailer

Review

A New Yorker, Jack Lemmon, separated from his wife, moves in with his best friend, a divorced sportswriter, Walter Matthau. Lemmon is an over the top neurotic perfectionist - Walter Matthau is larger than life drinking and smoking but stylish... what would you say... slob... well, he doesn't give a damn about good housekeeping. The two are poles apart but held together by a great affection, until things become hilariously unmanageable between these old friends.
The comic timing between them real life pals, is extraordinary - both are sparking off each other on all cylinders. Many new comedy films can't get close to this - Matthau's hangdog expression means he only has to look at the camera and you have to laugh. The film is full of facial expressions, sublime wit and cracking one liners. Based on the stage play by playwright, Neil Simon, this film sets out to be total comic entertainment and doesn't fail
Matthau and Lemmon are supported by a solid cast of players who become increasingly concerned as tensions between the two rise that could end in suicide or murder! The performances are uniformly good, especially Herb Edelman as Murray the cop, and Monica Evans and Carole Shelley as the Pigeon sisters from upstairs, who despite Matthau's attempts at seduction, coo and fuss over Lemmon while he cries about his marriage during a dinner date.
The film was successful with critics and made over $44.5 million, making it the third highest grossing film of 1968 in the United States. It's was the basis for the ABC television sitcom of the same name, starring Tony Randall and Jack Klugman as Felix and Oscar.
When I played it to my young son he was in stitches. He thinks this is up there along with Planes Trains and Automobiles, Airplane and Bridesmaids. This reviewer can't disagree.

It should have won more than these nominations -

Academy Awards, USA (1969)
Oscar [Nominee]
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium
Neil Simon

Oscar [Nominee]
Best Film Editing

My favourite scene -

Jack Lemmon's attempts to clear his sinuses in a busy restaurant is one of the funniest sequences in film history.

Number of SUBs out of 10 - 10

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Thanks for reading my review, always up for comments and a chat about films and TV.