Grumpy Old Men (1993)

A lifelong feud between two neighbors since childhood only gets worse when a new female neighbor moves across the street.

Director:

Donald Petrie

Writer:

Mark Steven Johnson

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Lemmon	...	John Gustafson
Walter Matthau	...	Max Goldman
Ann-Margret	...	Ariel Truax
Burgess Meredith	...	Grandpa Gustafson
Daryl Hannah	...	Melanie
Kevin Pollak	...	Jacob Goldman
Ossie Davis	...	Chuck
Buck Henry	...	Snyder
Christopher McDonald	...	Mike
Steve Cochran	...	Weatherman
Joe Howard	...	Pharmacist
Isabell O'Connor	...	Nurse (as Isabell Monk)
Buffy Sedlachek	...	Punky (as Buffy Sedlacheck)
John Carroll Lynch	...	Moving Man
Charles Brin	...	Fisherman

Storyline

John and Max are elderly men living next door to each other. They're continuously arguing and insulting each other, and have been this way for over 50 years. One day, Ariel, moves into the street. Both men are attracted to her, and their rivalry steps up a gear.

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Plot Keywords:

frozen lake | original story | middle age romance | irs agent | taxes | 

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Taglines:

A fifty-year fight.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual references

Did You Know?

Trivia

The winning numbers for the lottery John was watching were 7, 4, 11, 25, 40.

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Goofs

After John throws a fish in Max's truck, Max smells that "rotting fish" smell after a few days. Minnesota during ice fishing season (November, according to the story) would've been too cold for the fish to not only thaw out but to begin to stink. There were several inches of snow on the ground during this time of the film.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Snyder: Mr. Gustafson! I have to talk to you! Mr. Gustafson, will you answer the door, please? I know you're in there! It's no use pretending this isn't happening, Mr. Gustafson! I can't keep coming... back here every couple of days! You have to talk to me! Mr. Gustafson, I'm just trying to help you! Come on and open the door! I'll just keep knocking! I'll come back, so you might as well answer the door! I know you're in there! Think of the neighbors, Mr. Gustafson! There's a letter for ...

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Crazy Credits

Burgess Meredith, as Grandpa, is shown acting out different versions of one scene (A245/84B or A246/84B). Presumably the nature of the scene meant that the choice of which version to use had to be made later.

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Connections

Spoofed in Saturday Night Live: Jennifer Lawrence/The Lumineers (2013)

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Soundtracks

Joy to the World
Written by Isaac Watts and Lowell Mason
Arranged by Nat 'King' Cole and Edith Bergdahl
Performed by Nat 'King' Cole
Courtesy of CAPITOL RECORDS
Under License from CEMA SPECIAL MARKETS

User Reviews

A family reunion

It is sad to watch this wonderful film and realize that most of the actors in it are dead. Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Burgess Meredith, Ozzie Davis...all fine men whose loss to movie goers is felt- at least by this one. Ann-Margret, Darryl Hannah, Kevin Pollak, while still among us, are also perfect for their parts.

Every time I watch "Grumpy Old Men" I sense the camaraderie and fun the cast and crew must have had in making it. It is a family reunion, and the audience is the more fortunate for being invited.

Thank you all for braving the Minnesota winter to remind us of snow angels and tea tree oil; of old friends and Thanksgivings shared; of warmth in the deepest cold.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Grumpy Old Men

Filming Locations:

Half Time Rec, 1013 Front Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,874,911, 26 December 1993

Gross USA:

$70,172,621

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$70,172,621

Company Credits

Production Co:

John Davis, Lancaster Gate, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1