Jack Lemmon & Robert Mitchum

Missing (1982)

 

When an idealistic American writer disappears during the Chilean coup d'état in September 1973, his wife and father try to find him.

From memory: Costa-Gavras, loyal to his devotion of making politically relevant and explosive thrillers, successfully aims to a larger audience with this more mainstream film two competent Hollywood stars; Jack Lemmon is especially good in performing a transition from a 'normal' average guy to becoming a engaged political activist.

Halliwell*: "A further link in the chain of political thrillers from this director; well-wrought and compulsive but finally disappointing in its mixture of fact and fiction." 

Maltin***1/2: "A carefully manipulated drama that works, because of Costa-Gavra's convincing direction and Lemmon's emphatic performance..."

 

 

Buddy Buddy (1981)

 

During a high profile Mafia testimony case in California's Riverside County, a hired killer checks into a hotel room near the courthouse, while his depressed next-door neighbor wants to commit suicide due to marital problems.

From memory: Although this remake of L'emmerdeur is directed by Billy Wilder and presents the otherwise always irrepressible Matthau/Lemmon team, it's a tired and disappointingly unfunny comedy; even Klaus Kinski in a supporting role as an unsympathetic doctor can't help enliven the story.

Halliwell (no star): "Painful remake of the French L'Emmerdeur...Lugubriously funny at times, but generally much less attractive than the original." 

Maltin***: "Modest black comedy...A simple farce, played to perfection by Lemmon and Matthau..."

The Apartment (1960)

The China Syndrome (1979)

A reporter finds what appears to be a cover-up of safety hazards at a nuclear power plant.

From memory: Solid, if a bit old-fashioned political thriller; suspenseful with a good ensemble, and it manages to deliver its message.

Halliwell***: "Topical thriller-with-a-moral, absorbingly done in the old style but perhaps in the end a shade too hysterical and self-congratulatory."

Maltin****: "Heartpounding drama...is as much a probe of television news as it is a story of nuclear power - and it scores bullseye on both fronts. There is no music score; story tension propels film by itself, along with solid performances by Fonda...,Douglas, and especially Lemmon as dedicated plant exec."

The Odd Couple (1968)

Two friends try sharing an apartment, but their ideas of housekeeping and lifestyles are as different as night and day.

A classic, if not perfect comedy,  an ideal showcase for the two stars, it's still highly entertaining as ever, and way superior to most present day comedies.

On rewatching: Always an entertaining viewing.

Halliwell**: "Straight filming of a funny play which sometimes seems lost on the wide screen, but the performances are fine."

Maltin***: "Lemmon's realistic performance makes character melancholy instead of funny; other surefire comic sequences remain intact."

The Fortune Cookie (1966)

A crooked lawyer persuades his brother-in-law to feign a serious injury.

Typically black Billy Wilder comedy outstays its welcome a bit, but the star duo Lemmon-Matthau is worth the watch.

Halliwell*: "Flat, stretched-out, only occasionally effective comedy which relies too much on mordant attitudes and a single star performance."

Maltin***: "Biting Wilder comedy...Matthau's Oscar-winning performance hits home."

Jack Lemmon & Billy Wilder

The Odd Couple (1968)

Two friends try sharing an apartment, but their ideas of housekeeping and lifestyles are as different as night and day.

A classic, if not perfect comedy,  an ideal showcase for the two stars, it's still highly entertaining as ever, and way superior to most present day comedies.




On renewed viewing: still as enjoyable as I remember it.

Halliwell**: "Straight filming of a funny play which sometimes seems lost on the wide screen, but the performances are fine."

Maltin***: "Lemmon's realistic performance makes character melancholy instead of funny; other surefire comic sequences remain intact."

The Odd Couple (1968)

Two friends try sharing an apartment, but their ideas of housekeeping and lifestyles are as different as night and day.

A classic, if not perfect comedy,  an ideal showcase for the two stars, it's still highly entertaining as ever, and way superior to most present day comedies.

Halliwell**: "Straight filming of a funny play which sometimes seems lost on the wide screen, but the performances are fine."

Maltin***: "Lemmon's realistic performance makes character melancholy instead of funny; other surefire comic sequences remain intact."

Irma la Douce (1963)

On the set: Billy Wilder and Jack Lemmon