Back when Grumpy Old Men was released in 1993, I was at an age when going to the movies with my buddies was everything! We would pretty much go and see anything, and that was how we ended up going to see Grumpy Old Men. Now, the draw for a group of 12-year-olds here was one Walter Matthau, not that any of us were huge fans of Walter Matthau, but we recognized him as Mr. Wilson from the Dennis movie that was released earlier in the year, and we all loved that movie.
Where to Watch Grumpy Old Men
Grumpy Old Men was released on December 25, 1993. You can stream the film from a digital platform such as Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV.
The Movie Review
Revisiting the Film as an Adult
I remember thinking that Grumpy Old Men was ok, but clearly, I was not the demographic that this movie was going for, but it tells you it had something to make a group of kids like it. I watched this again recently for the first time in what must be 20 years, and I have a whole new level of appreciation for it.
The Rivalry Between John and Max
Our two main characters are neighbors, John and Max, played by Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. John and Max were friends back in the day, but these two grumpy old dudes are always at each other’s throats. They constantly complain about the other, and there may also be some pranks and shenanigans going on between the two to try to get under each other’s skin. The stuff with the fish in the car was hilarious and even though I knew it was coming, it still made me laugh.
Supporting Characters and Emotional Depth
They have a common friend in Chuck, played by Ossie Davis, who runs the local bait shop. I really like Ossie and the way he is a good friend to both guys, but he is sick of their constant bickering. John is in a bit of tax trouble and financial trouble, but he is also trying to help his daughter, played by Daryl Hannah, who is going through a divorce. Despite being a grouchy old dude, you can tell that John has a good heart.
Ariel’s Arrival and Romantic Tension
Max has a son who is trying to run for mayor of the town that they live in. Their already rocky relationship is complicated by a new woman on the scene, Ariel, who is played by Ann Margaret. They both like her, and this just ramps things up. There is some great humor here that, as an adult, I appreciate way more than when I was a kid. While the humor is there, there is some sadness and a lot of heart right at the core of this movie, too. Also, I do want to say that the setting of the movie has a lot of charm to it too.
A Predictable but Charming Classic
I get that you could say that Grumpy Old Men is a very predictable movie, but this is one of those movies where it all wraps up perfectly and leaves you with a big smile on your face. Charming is honestly the best way to describe what this movie is. I picked this up on Blu-Ray, the double pack with 1995’s Grumpier Old Men, for a very cheap price from a charity/thrift shop. Although this may be a preview for a review to come at a later date, but Grumpier Old Men is a prime example of an unnecessary sequel!
