The Odd Couple II (1998)

Oscar and Felix take a road trip to their son and daughter's wedding.

Director:

Howard Deutch

Writer:

Neil Simon

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Richard Riehle

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Lemmon	...	Felix Ungar
Walter Matthau	...	Oscar Madison
Richard Riehle	...	Chief of Police
Jonathan Silverman	...	Brucey Madison
Lisa Waltz	...	Hannah Unger
Mary Beth Peil	...	Felice
Christine Baranski	...	Thelma
Jean Smart	...	Holly
Rex Linn	...	JayJay
Jay O. Sanders	...	Leroy
Barnard Hughes	...	Beaumont
Ellen Geer	...	Frances Unger Melnick
Doris Belack	...	Blanche Madison Povitch
Lou Cutell	...	Abe
Mary Fogarty	...	Flossie, the Grouch

Storyline

It has been seventeen years now since Oscar and Felix saw each other for the last time. Oscar is living in Florida, Felix in New York. One day, Oscar is called by his son Brucey who invites him to his wedding to Felix' daughter Hannah next Sunday in California. Oscar and Felix meet again at Los Angeles International Airport and take a rental car in order to go to San Malina for the wedding. The trip develops into an odyssey, starting with Oscar forgetting Felix' suitcase at the Budget station, going over to the complete loss of the directions (and the car), several difficulties with the police, a dead person, a toupee, underwear and revenge-hungry Cowboys and ending up with Felix meeting the "one and only" woman. But the wedding has to be reached on time.

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Plot Keywords:

road movie | four word title | old friend | roman numeral in title | friendship | 

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Taglines:

Some arguments stand the test of time

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

10 April 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Odd Couple 2: Travelin' Light

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,810,288, 12 April 1998, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$18,912,328

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Cort/Madden Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When writing the original play of The Odd Couple (1968), Neil Simon based the character of Felix on his older brother, Danny Simon.

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Goofs

During a scene where Felix and Oscar are driving on the highway, you can see someone in a passing car take a photo of them.

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Quotes

Felix Ungar: You just have to help me figure out a reason why I should get up and go sit next to her.
Oscar Madison: How about... ummm... .I don't know. How about, your seat is broken?
Felix Ungar: No, 'cos I'm a bad liar, she'll know I'm lying.
Oscar Madison: How about if I break your seat?

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Connections

References Thelma & Louise (1991)

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Soundtracks

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
By Ennio Morricone
Performed by Ennio Morricone
Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. and Alberto Grimaldi Productions

User Reviews

I wish it wasn't the last.

It is sad to think that we will not have any more gems from either of these two screen legends. Lemmon was a great actor, as can be seen in any one of his many films (particularly, "Days of Wine and Roses," "Glen Garry Glen Ross"). He had a broad range, and could play comedy with the best of them ("Mr. Roberts," "How to Murder Your Wife," etc.) Matthau was a breed apart, having done many dramatic roles in is early career ("The Kentuckian," "Fail Safe"), but it was light comedy where he truly shined. He was one of those true "naturals." So, after the "Grumpy Old Men" successes, they are paired for "The Odd Couple II." From the broad range of commentary here, there are those who celebrate this film, and those who think it is lame. I feel it has good performances in a so-so plot, but it think it was a bad choice. They were both great in the first "Odd Couple," but who can deny that they abdicated the roles of Oscar and Felix to two consummate professionals, Jack Klugman and Tony Randall on TV? They polished those roles to perfection, and they had done all that could be done with them. It was pointless for Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau to go there again.

For me, "Grumpy Old Men" is how I would like to remember them. That film had a good story, and was supported by a great team of veterans, Burgess Meredith in particular. In that film, even the out-takes are great.

"The Odd Couple II" reminds me in many ways of "Tough Guys." Both films had legends, both as teams and as individual actors, so when Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster appear together for the last time, you want for them to have something really special. That is what we wanted for Jack Lemmon and Walther Matthau. These films are okay, but only because the actors are in them. They are not good enough movies to honor their memories.