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Review for Grumpy Old Men Film 4

7/4/2020

 
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Grumpy Old Men is one of the best comedies ever made which features two multi-talented Hollywood actors, Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon. With the added superb performance given by Burgess Meredith, the film is a landslide success. This was followed by the release of the sequel, ‘Grumpier Old Men’, with a first class quality like the original.

The film centres on life long friends, Max Goldman (played by Walter Matthau) and John Gustafson (Jack Lemmon), who live in the frozen surroundings of the Minnesota Tundra. Both men are retired and widowed. They enjoy a restful and simple life with the usual visits to their immediate family and ice fishing.

However, their typical days change when a boisterous woman, Ariel Truax (Ann-Margret), comes to their neighborhood. At first, both of them pretend not to be interested when the woman tries to befriend them. However, when a storeowner and fellow neighbour, Chuck (Ossie Davis), introduces them, both men give in. As Ariel becomes part of their daily lives, the two men find themselves competing for her attention and affection. Initially, Max seems to have the advantage in their rivalry. However, the situation changes when Ariel, during a dinner at Gustafson’s home, confesses her feelings to him.

Grumpy Old Men is a fantastic film filled with remarkable performances by the finest Hollywood legends -- plus its numerous well-timed humours. This is a highly recommended film.


Plot Summary of ‘Grumpy Old Men’ – the Movie

11/3/2011

 
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‘Grumpy Old Men’ directed by Donald Petrie. The movie, which stars Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, and Ann-Margret, revolves around two fifty-something neighbours whose feud since childhood worsens when they are both attracted to a new neighbour.

The movie is set in Wabasha, Minnesota, where neighbours John Gustafson and Max Goldman are two elderly widowers who were friends during their early years but later become rivals. Their rivalry starts when John and Max argue about something trivial. Now rivals, the two men compete about everything. Their feud also includes playing childish pranks on each other. For example, Max deliberately changes John’s television channel by using a universal remote through the window. In return, John also plays practical jokes on him by throwing a dead fish inside Max’s truck. Their rivalry continues when Max’s childhood sweetheart gets married to John. Now, at the age of 50, John and Max are still unfriendly towards one another. Their rivalry intensifies when Ariel Truax, a new neighbour who is also a widow, arrives in the neighbourhood. Upon meeting Ariel, John and Max are both instantly attracted to her. Even though many other men are also smitten by Ariel, she seems interested only in John and Max.

Later, when Max notices that Ariel seems to spend more time with his rival, Max plots wicked scheme against John. He drives John’s truck into a frozen lake where it sinks deep down to the bottom. This incident leads to a fight, which heats up their rivalry even more.

The story lines of this grumpy movie remind me of the Awayday by Kevin Sampson.

Grumpy Old Men Part 3: A Review

11/2/2011

 
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‘Grumpy Old Men’ is a four-part documentary film that shows British men aged 35 to 54, and who are considered the grumpiest of any age group. Among the grumpy old men in the film are Arthur Smith, John Peel, Will Self, Jeremy Clarkson, and Rick Wakeman. The film has a wide range of subject matter--from Tony Blair as a pop idol to Christmas. It also deals with a man’s perception of the world, especially when it comes to what they see as the lousy ageing process. Geoffrey Palmer eloquently narrates the painful experiences of these prominent middle-aged men ripping on all the things that “hack them off”. These men grew up in an era when the world was supposed to be getting better, with love and peace. These men are grumpy about mobile phones, interests in aeroplanes, the return of flares, not knowing how much to look at women, and the myth that life would be easier as they get older. A constant use of flashbacks brings the viewer back to the 60s and 70s when the men were still young and idealist.

It is said that the acting skills of the film’s grumpy old men are excellent, stemming from the fact that they are realistic, average grumpy old men. Although some of the English jokes are not that familiar to other viewers, this documentary remains entertaining for all with its funny narration style. Goeffrey Palmer shows these men in an apparent state of composure with a deep desire to move everyone.


Grumpy Old Men Film Review

11/1/2011

 
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‘Grumpy Old Men’ is a 1993 US comedy film directed by Donald Petrie. It centres on a dollop of crude, raunchy humour and features skilled actors in the lead roles. John Gustafson (played by Jack Lemmon), is a Minnesota native who, for decades, has constantly been having fights with his former best friend and neighbour, Max Goldman (Walter Matthau).The battle between Max and John involves practical jokes and name calling. Max has no idea that John faces serious problems: an IRS agent (Buck Henry) is about to confiscate his house; and Melanie (Daryl Hannah), his daughter, suffers from marital difficulties. Just when it seems that Max and John have settled their childish feud, a new sexy neighbour, Ariel (Ann-Margret), comes into the picture and begins dating both of them. This starts more fighting between them. Regardless of their mutual disgust, John’s problems, a friend’s death, and a developing relationship between Melanie and Max’s son, Jacob (Kevin Pollak), leads to the reconciliation of the two old comrades.

Two masterful actors performed the lead roles with well-worn comfort in this simple but cheerful comedy film. Having performers like Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, who have won their field’s top honours, star in a gross-out, sex-obsessed comedy is enough to get some viewers grumpy themselves, but Matthau and Lemmon shine even during the dull subplots. ‘Grumpy Old Men’ surely is not an award-winning film. However, it is worth watching this film for the entertainment value and the strength of the actors.


Review of Grumpy Old Men Part 1

10/31/2011

 
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Despite its straightforward vulgarity and lack of plot and sophistication, the comedy film ‘Grumpy Old Men’ moves away from pretence with realistic performances from its lead actors, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, who perfectly match each other’s character and their individuality. The film was produced by John Davis and directed by Donald Petrie.

Max Goldman (portrayed by Walter Matthau) is the long-time rival of the irritable John Gustafson (Jack Lemmon). Max and John are neighbours in Wabasha, Minnesota, an isolated town where the residents can only talk and play darts to each other to pass the time. The arrival of Ariel Truax (Ann-Margaret), wearing a tight purple snowsuit, shakes up the usual quiet of the town. For both Max and John, Ariel’s arrival is an angelic joy, but which can have fatal consequences to old men. However, through the course of the movie, Ariel becomes the romantic pawn in Max and John’s fights, resulting in a two-dimensional character for the film set.

The subplots do not provide much substance, only involving characters such as John’s daughter Melanie (played by Daryl Hannah) and Max’s son Jacob (Kevin Pollack) along with bed scenes at a hospital on Christmas Eve.

Matthau and Lemmon come through for the movie, successfully portraying hilarious characters. The flawless tandem managed to do this because of their buoyant spirits, though their interaction is undeniably dictated by the screenplay.


The Grumpy Old Men movie

10/30/2011

 
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‘Grumpy Old Men’ is a comedy film about two psychotically fractious neighbours, who were enemies in their early lives. John Gustafson is played by Jack Lemmon and Max Goldman is played by Walter Matthau, the irritable old men in the rivalry. They both fall in love with an elderly, gorgeous widow, Ariel Truax, played by Ann Margret, which makes the rivalry even more heated.

The rivalry includes these men playing childlike pranks whenever they see each other. Ironically, though, they do engage in conversation, but this rarely occurs. John and Max compete for Ann’s affections. Although these men are not the only persons smitten by Ariel, they appear to be the two men that she is most interested in.

Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau are a perfect match with perfect chemistry as they are just so hilarious and odd together. Lemmon gives a better overall performance by showing much of his actual efforts in getting into his character, while Matthau moves smoothly into his character throughout the movie. However, Ann Margret gives a not particularly memorable performance; she is energetic and still adequate in her character as the catalyst of the newest phase in the Gustafson/Goldman feud.

The material is not that strong - except for a scene in which Lemmon's nonagenarian father, played by Burgess Meredith, gives some hopeless advice about handling a woman. But viewers have to be indulgent when doddering elders take the trouble to do old party pieces.

What to do with people having Grumpy Old Man Syndrome

10/29/2011

 
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A commentary by Steven Roose, M.D., of Columbia University, on Medscape suggests a there is a major public health time bomb that is starting to tick louder than ever. There are some 35 million people over 65 living in the US, and it is calculated that this figure will increase to 70 million by 2030, while the over 85 bracket will double to 8 million. The proportion of the population over 65 is anticipated to increase from 13 to 20 percent by 2030.

Men who have reached 50 are often at the peak of their professions, and are mostly in perfect health. However, they are also entering a period where they are at greater risk of life-threatening and quality-of-life diseases including sexual dysfunction which can damage your couple life. A romantic break from the reality could be a useful tool to save your marriage life.

The connection between depression and heart disease and stroke is familiar. As for connection between erectile dysfunction and depression, a number of studies have recorded cases of depressed males who were no longer dysfunctional after their depression was cured. Erectile dysfunction is also a result of taking antidepressants, though the opposite can happen, where depression is caused by the frustration of protracted erectile dysfunction.

A 2003 Harvard study of 56 depressed males who staying a city like Bangkok, Tokyo, London and Washington, these were not responding well to antidepressants discovered that 24 men had low testosterone levels. Of these, 12 were allotted a transdermal testosterone gel, along with antidepressants. At the end of several weeks, one third of the males showed significant improvement in their anxiety and depression scores.


Grumpy Old Men’s Backdrop

10/28/2011

 
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‘Grumpy Old Men’ and ‘Grumpier Old Men’ were set in Wabasha, Minnesota. However, there is only a minimal featuring of the place in the movies as most of the filming took place in various locations in Minnesota. Some of these places are Center City; Chanhassen; Divine Redeemer Hospital, Faribault (opening credits/drug store), Hyacinth Avenue E & Frank Street, Lake Rebecca, Rockford (fishing hole), Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Paisley Park; Red Wing (scenic overlook), St. Paul (homes and snowmobiling), and Stillwater.

The plentiful snow in Minnesota provides ample opportunity for enemies Jack Lemon and Walter Matthau to make each other’s life a living hell. During the shooting, the film suffered a couple of mishaps in one particular location in Minnesota. In her autobiography “My Story”, Ann-Margret tells of her snow ride experience with Jack Lemmon that went awry. While she was driving Jack on the back of her snowmobile, Ann took a fast icy turn and careened into a steel dumpster. Worried about losing Jack, Ann clung to the bike as if her life depended on it, and she desperately looked around for Jack until someone told her that Jack had bailed out far back of her and was fine. Meanwhile, with Minnesota’s freezing temperatures, Walter Matthau became ill and was hospitalised with double pneumonia.

Minnesota experiences great seasonal variation and is a great place for filming all year round. The abundance of water, casinos and reservations, small and big cities, and cityscapes of Minnesota are just perfect for filming.

Grumpy Old Men ' The Best Show '

10/27/2011

 
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‘Grumpy Old Men’, a television show on the BBC Channel, is a reality-based, conversational-style comedy series first aired in 2003. Some of the great TV personalities that have appeared on this show include Bob Geldof, Jeremy Clarkson, A. A. Gill, Tony Hawks, Nigel Havers, Simon Hoggart, Bill Nighy, Rory McGrath, Matthew Parris, as well as Will Self, John Peel, Arthur Smith, Rick Stein, Tim Rice, Tony Slattery, Lemn Sissay, Rick Wakeman, Des Lynam, and Don Warrington. It is narrated by Geoffrey Palmer.

This programme is essentially about famous middle-aged British men that include columnists, theatre actors, media producers, and radio reporters. The men give well-articulated and well-deserved viewpoints on a number of modern-life issues that they find quite annoying. Some of the issues are the rapid increase in the number of unnecessary road signs, as well as exaggerated and deafening cellular phone conversations. Other discussions are about technology, commercials, art, values, as well as bad holiday and famous personalities of all types who have left the limelight, such that the commentators are no longer up-to-date with them.

Various viewers and critics rated ‘Grumpy Old Men’ as one of the best TV shows in the local television scene. The characters indeed are well-portrayed, and its entertaining narration-style is well-suited to its main theme.

The success of 'Grumpy Old Men' spawned the 'Grumpy Old Women' series. Additionally, a pilot show for 'Grumpy Young Men' is expected to premiere in the spring of 2009. Robert Webb will be the narrator of the show.


The Success of 'Grumpy Old Men'

10/26/2011

 
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Debuted in 2003, ‘Grumpy Old Men’ is a conversational-style, British television programme that became popular in Europe. It is narrated by Geoffrey Palmer and features a number of widely known middle-aged men, including comedian and writer Arthur Smith and keyboard player Rick Wakeman. The men talk about modern life issues which annoy them, including the rapid increase of unneeded road signs and too loud cell phone conversations.

The success of the programme called forth another television series ‘Grumpy Old Women’, which was first shown as a Christmas special in 2004 and then as a full series in 2005. Just like its forerunner, it features well-known, middle-aged women, including journalist Jilly Cooper, controversial Australian academic Germaine Greer, and actress Sheila Hancock, all talking about their pet peeves. In June 2006, ‘Grumpy Old Men’, together with ‘Grumpy Old Women’, started a series titled ‘Grumpy Old Holidays’, where they talk about the irritations of airplane travel.

As a companion book to the popular series, ‘Grumpy Old Men’, ‘The Secret Diary’, written by Stuart Prebble, was published in 2005. It was followed in 2006 by ‘Grumpy Old Christmas’, also written by Prebble,. The first series, as well as the Christmas special, was released on DVD, and an audio book of the first two series was also released.

Because of the success of ‘Grumpy Old Men’/’Women’, television producers, Liberty Bell TV, have produced several series with a similar format, including ‘Grumpy Old Holidays’, ‘My Appalling School Report’, and ‘The Meaning of Life’.


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