Episode 283: Grumpy Old Men (1993)

Grumpy Old Men (1993)Watch the trailer!

The second film in our end-of-year holiday films is a modern classic, starring two of the funniest comedians ever to grace a screen, paired with one of the most beautiful women in film history! Directed by Donald Petrie, this is the story of John Gustafson (Jack Lemmon), a widower with IRS woes, who lives next to his best frenemy in the world, Max Goldman (Walter Matthau) in a small town in Minnesota. Both men have known each other for fifty years, and have a comfortable, if antagonistic, relationship. Johns daughter, Melanie (Daryl Hannah) is having marriage problems, while Max's son Jacob (Kevin Pollak) is running for Mayor. Their friend Chuck (Ossie Davis) runs the local bait shop where John and Max pick up their ice-fishing supplies every day. And John delivers beer to his father, "Grandpa Gustafson" (Burgess Meredith at his funniest) at his ice shanty every day. It's a comfortable, if predictable life, until Ariel Truax (Ann-Margret) moves in across the street from John and Max, and throws both of their lives into a competitive chaos. Funny, sad, moving, and hopeful, this film delivers a solid hour and forty-three minutes of entertainment. And the trio discuss what two war films they're marching out for the next pairing!



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