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The Odd Couple main poster

The Odd Couple

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7.5/10 • 563

1968-05-161h 46m

Comedy

… say no more.

In New York, Felix, a neurotic news writer who just broke up with his wife, is urged by his chaotic friend Oscar, a sports journalist, to move in with him, but their lifestyles are as different as night and day are, so Felix's ideas about housekeeping soon begin to irritate Oscar.

Directors
Gene Saks
Editors
Frank Bracht

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Jack Lemmon

    Jack Lemmon

    Felix Ungar

  2. Walter Matthau

    Walter Matthau

    Oscar Madison

  3. John Fiedler

    John Fiedler

    Vinnie

  4. Herb Edelman

    Herb Edelman

    Murray

  5. David Sheiner

    David Sheiner

    Roy

  6. Monica Evans

    Monica Evans

    Cecily

  7. Carole Shelley

    Carole Shelley

    Gwendolyn

  8. Iris Adrian

    Iris Adrian

    Waitress

  9. Billie Bird

    Billie Bird

    Chambermaid (uncredited)

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Jul 15, 2022

7/10

"Felix" (Jack Lemmon) and "Oscar" (Walter Matthau) are best pals who get together once a week with their friends to play poker and shoot the breeze. Their friendship is about to be severely tested, though, when the former man announced that he has split up with his wife. "Oscar" rides to the rescue with an offer for him to move in with him, and what now ensues are a cleverly written, and generally entertaining, series of domestic scenarios in which these two men must learn to cohabit. It's pretty clear from the outset that "Oscar" is not exactly house-proud and as the story develops their relationship starts to creak. Neil Simon has created a wonderfully witty, pithy and humorous dialogue which both men deliver with a great deal of natural timing; they immerse themselves in the roles - an unusual narrative for two men - and deliver quite an engaging observation on how these two friends simply cannot cope with each other full time. Aside from a few scenes from their card-playing buddies and a rather difficult double date with posh Brits "Gwendolyn" (Carole Shelley) and "Cecily" (Monica Evans) - which follows a scene of domestic petulance over some tardiness and meatloaf that is instantly recognisable to most of us, this is a fine example of two actors who gel really well on screen. Oddly enough, I think this is a bit of a love story. Not in the conventional, romantic, sense - but despite their bickering and squabbling these men do care for each other. The theme tune is pretty good, too.

Media

  • The Odd Couple backdrop
  • The Odd Couple backdrop
  • The Odd Couple backdrop
  • The Odd Couple backdrop
  • The Odd Couple backdrop
  • The Odd Couple backdrop
  • The Odd Couple backdrop
  • The Odd Couple backdrop

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$1,200,000.00
Revenue
$44,527,234.00
Keywords
new york cityroommatemale friendshipbased on play or musicalobsessive compulsive disorder (ocd)poker gamedivorced man1960seccentric manneat freakmessy apartmentsports journalismimpartial