Grumpier Old Men (1995)

John and Max resolve to save their beloved bait shop from turning into an Italian restaurant, just as its new female owner catches Max's attention.

Director:

Howard Deutch

Writers:

Mark Steven Johnson (characters), Mark Steven Johnson

Stars:

Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Ann-Margret

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Walter Matthau	...	Max Goldman
Jack Lemmon	...	John Gustafson
Sophia Loren	...	Maria Sophia Coletta Ragetti
Ann-Margret	...	Ariel Gustafson
Burgess Meredith	...	Grandpa Gustafson
Daryl Hannah	...	Melanie Gustafson
Kevin Pollak	...	Jacob Goldman
Katie Sagona	...	Allie, Melanie's Daughter
Ann Morgan Guilbert	...	Mama Ragetti (as Ann Guilbert)
James Andelin	...	Sven
Marcus Klemp	...	Eddie, Assistant Manager
Max Wright	...	County Health Inspector
Cheryl Hawker	...	Lena
Wayne A. Evenson	...	Handsome Hans
Allison Levine	...	Assistant at Dog Pound

Storyline

Things don't seem to change much in Wabasha County: Max and John are still fighting after 35 years, Grandpa still drinks, smokes, and chases women , and nobody's been able to catch the fabled "Catfish Hunter", a gigantic catfish that actually smiles at fishermen who try to snare it. Six months ago John married the new girl in town (Ariel), and people begin to suspect that Max might be missing something similar in his life. The only joy Max claims is left in his life is fishing, but that might change with the new owner of the bait shop.

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Plot Keywords:

boat | lake | neighbor | rivalry | minnesota | 

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Taglines:

Still Yelling. Still Fighting. Still Ready For Love.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for salty language and innuendos

Did You Know?

Trivia

Max and John have for years been trying to catch a catfish they call "Catfish Hunter." It is named for Baseball Hall Of Fame pitcher Jim "Catfish" Hunter.

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Goofs

When Max and Maria are having dinner on the deck of the Ristorante, you can clearly see the sunset with just a few clouds in the sky. In less than 30 seconds, it starts pouring down rain.

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Quotes

[after finally catching Catfish Hunter]
Max: If I die today, I die a happy man.
John: You die today, I'm taking your motor.

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Crazy Credits

Outtakes also show Walter Matthau and 'Jack Lemmon' both forgetting their lines, including the names of their characters' respective love interests.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Dead Man Walking/Cutthroat Island/Sudden Death/Grumpier Old Men/Restoration/Waiting to Exhale (1995)

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Soundtracks

Volare
Written by Mitchell Parish, Domenico Modugno and Franco Migliacci
Performed by Dean Martin
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from CEMA Special Markets

User Reviews

Better than the first one.

While "Grumpy" was enjoyable, I think "Grumpier" is the better overall movie. More attention is given to the supporting characters, the plot is slightly more complex, the lines are better, the jokes are better, and Lemmon and Matthau once again give excellent performances. Granted, this still isn't as good as it could be, but I think it's a noticeable step up from the original. I really don't get all the negativity toward it... come on, people, it's just a silly comedy. Lighten up.

Speaking of negativity, another reviewer, whom I won't name here (oh all right, it's John Ulmer), seems to think this movie is nothing more than a "shouting match," and is concerned about the age difference between the Old Men and their lady friends. I disagree on both points. The dialogue doesn't have as much shouting this time around, and Matthau's girl is most certainly NOT "fortysomething." Believe it or not, she was 61 at the time, and I must say it's quite amazing how good she looks for a woman her age (Matthau was 75--a pretty big age difference, true, but I can't imagine there's a lot of men to choose from when you're single and in your 60s!). I hate to chastise another reviewer like this, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

So in conclusion... it's a good movie. Doesn't deserve its bad rap.

7/10 stars.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian German

Release Date:

22 December 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Grumpier Old Men

Filming Locations:

Mayslack's, 1428 4th Street NE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,797,185, 25 December 1995

Gross USA:

$71,518,503

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$71,518,503

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lancaster Gate, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1